Representing 15% of French territory, the Massif Central is distinguished by a geological history of over 600 million years, but knowledge of which remains fragmented. Its potential for mineral and energy resources attracts industrialists, which notably translates into requests for exploration and mining research permits (PER). This context raises questions, diverse positions, and mobilizations within populations and local authorities. However, the current state of geological knowledge and social dynamics does not allow for informed debate on subsurface issues and its potential uses.
Giving voice to territorial actors throughout the research work
The "Massif Central" project thus intends to produce knowledge on the subsurface through the study of pilot sites chosen for their potential in strategic and critical metals, their geothermal potential and their sociological configurations (urban context versus rural environment, former mining site or new deposit). It aims to structure a multidisciplinary community in geosciences, human, social and economic sciences, and mobilizes a transdisciplinary approach to promote interactions between scientists and territorial actors: citizen associations, industrialists and political decision-makers.
"We wish to develop a participatory approach by integrating territorial actors on the altogether divisive theme of energy transition "instruments": mineral resources, presupposing mining renewal in France and having territorial consequences, as well as geothermal energy as a potential renewable energy source. This is why the presence and voice of territorial actors, as well as project socialization are necessary throughout the scientific work" specify Sylvia Becerra (CNRS), Florence Cagnard (BRGM) and Olivier Vanderhaeghe (University of Toulouse), project co-leaders.
Réunion de lancement du projet "Massif Central"
© PEPR Sous-sol, bien commun
The launch meeting: starting point of a long-term dialogue
The team thus invited territorial actors to the launch meeting on June 17 and 18, 2024 to foster meetings and exchanges with scientific communities involved in project construction since February 2023, and to present its objectives and philosophy.
The intention is to build science conscious of territorial issues. "We must more than ever bring subsurface science out of its preserve, especially since the acronyms PEPR and PER (exploration and mining research permit) are very close [...] which can cause confusion between scientific activity and industrial activity" emphasize the project co-leaders.
The team thus specified that the "Massif Central" project is part of a long temporality (6 years) and its own scientific dynamic, differentiating it from any other research project or industrial project underway in the territory. "We are doing fundamental research which means we carry an approach of knowledge production, not exploitation of subsurface resources."
A fundamental research project within the Subsurface-Common good program
The "Massif Central" project is one of the 5 study sites of the Subsurface, Common Good PEPR: a large-scale national research program co-led by CNRS and BRGM. Associating 10 partners with an aid budget of 3.4 million euros, this project aims to:
- Produce new knowledge on resources and societies in Massif Central transitions: notably by characterizing metallogenic systems associated with critical substances, such as copper, tungsten, lithium, antimony or even germanium and gallium. It also involves studying territorial trajectories of pilot sites, economic and social issues of potential mining restart, social construction of resources and risks, or the role of regulations in resolving or amplifying conflicts. Another axis aims to identify the roles of geological parameters on deep geothermal systems, and to determine whether and how geothermal energy has percolated public policies at the territorial scale and can be integrated into territorial development scenarios aimed at ensuring local satisfaction of energy demand.
- Develop innovative tools for geological potential characterization. This work concerns the development of efficient methods for acquisition and interpretation of geochemical and geophysical data, and predictive mapping to improve exploration in the Massif Central.
- Trace the geological history of the Massif Central through subsurface resources and produce a synthesis of published and newly acquired data in the project.
- Coordinate inter and transdisciplinary actions with notably the constitution of a stakeholder committee and organization of annual workshops.
Atelier de travail lors de la réunion de lancement du projet "Massif Central"
© PEPR Sous-sol, bien commun
It aims to share co-produced knowledge on the geological and social conditions under which the Massif Central could possibly contribute to ongoing transitions, in order to allow everyone to understand and position themselves regarding issues of potential exploitation of subsurface resources.
The launch meeting allowed different stakeholders to learn about project content and exchange. It was an opportunity to take stock of starting knowledge, and that to be acquired, and to become aware of the path to travel to cross perspectives of earth sciences and social sciences, and the learning to be done to create a common work culture for successful dialogue.
The consortium associates BRGM, CNRS, INRAE, the Universities of Clermont Auvergne, Montpellier, Lorraine, Paris-Saclay, Savoie-Mont Blanc, Rennes, Bourgogne Franche-Comté, and also involves Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier Université and the Université of Orléans.
