The contribution of Italian Geological Cartography in the search for Critical Raw Materials

Geological and thematic mapping (geological, geomorphological, hydrogeological, geochemical, hydrogeological instability, mineral resource maps, etc.) represents not only the basis for in-depth knowledge of the territory and the management of natural and anthropogenic risks, but also a fundamental tool for the potential identification and extraction of critical raw materials. These raw materials, of increasing strategic importance for the environmentally sustainable technological and industrial development of a modern country, require in-depth knowledge of georesources, an accurate estimate of available reserves, and a proper assessment of the environmental impact of their extraction.