The Regional Minister of Industry, Energy and Mines of the Andalusian Regional Government, Jorge Paradela , today emphasized that “ mining activity is essential because it connects with Europe’s priorities to gain strategic autonomy over raw materials and advance the ecological and digital transition ,” and argued that it meets very high legal standards regarding safety and environmental protection that do not exist in other regions. “Andalusia, Europe’s second largest copper producer, must take advantage of its natural resource potential , with 22 of the 34 minerals considered critical in its subsoil,” he added.