Mineral Proiect Invest S.A. (MPI), a fully Romanian-owned company, has announced the award of a Concession License for the exploitation of magnesian rock resources in the Valea Dobra area of Sibiu County. This significant development, approved under Order No. 529 on September 3, 2026, marks a pivotal moment for the Integrated Magnesium Project, which aims to establish a complete industrial value chain in Romania, from resource extraction to the production of high-value magnesium products. With cumulative investments projected to exceed €400 million, the project is positioned as the first integrated industrial magnesium initiative in the European Union, facilitating the processing of locally sourced materials to create added value within the region.
The Valea Dobra deposit is estimated to hold over 50 million tonnes of magnesian serpentines, a resource that is critical for various industrial applications, including automotive, aerospace, and electronics. The project is particularly timely as the European Union seeks to bolster its access to critical raw materials through the Critical Raw Materials Act, aiming to reduce reliance on external suppliers. MPI’s initiative promises to contribute significantly to the development of new production and processing capacities within the EU, ensuring that the added value of the extracted resources is realised domestically rather than exported as raw ore.
The project is designed to be environmentally sustainable, with plans to transport ore using a funicular system and 100% electric dump trucks, thereby minimising the environmental impact associated with traditional mining logistics. This approach aligns with MPI’s commitment to a modern green mining model, which integrates environmental considerations from the outset of the project.
As the first phase of development unfolds, MPI will focus on establishing the mining operation and constructing a processing plant in Săliște, which will initially produce magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂). Future expansions may include the production of fused magnesia and other high-value products. The project is expected to generate employment opportunities and contribute to local economic growth, while also addressing the European Union’s vulnerability in magnesium supply chains.
Andrei Degeratu, President and CEO of MPI, emphasised the importance of creating a full industrial chain in Romania, stating that the exploitation license is a crucial step towards transforming the country’s natural resources into high-value products that can reduce European strategic dependencies. Petru Văduva, Vice-President of MPI, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the necessity for Europe to not only access resources but also to develop the capacity to process them within the EU. With the backing of experienced Romanian engineering and infrastructure companies, MPI is poised to make a significant impact on the European magnesium market.
