MINEX Forum

Tag: Critical raw materials

  • EU Industrial Accelerator Act Seen as Key to Reviving Metals Production

    EU Industrial Accelerator Act Seen as Key to Reviving Metals Production

    The proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) is being positioned as a pivotal opportunity to strengthen Europe’s industrial base, with the non-ferrous metals sector highlighting its critical role in achieving the European Union’s climate, digital and security objectives.

    Industry stakeholders argue that the IAA must prioritise restoring a viable business case for producing metals within Europe, which has been undermined in recent years by persistently high energy prices and rising operational costs. They stress that without targeted measures to address energy affordability, the credibility of the IAA as an industrial policy tool could be compromised.

    Among the key proposals is the development of “lead markets” to support demand for low-carbon materials. However, industry representatives warn that such mechanisms must remain realistic, flexible and aligned with sector-specific conditions. They emphasise the need for accompanying incentives, including VAT reductions and public procurement criteria, to prevent European producers from being undercut by cheaper imports.

    The introduction of local content requirements is also seen as a strategic priority to reduce reliance on critical raw materials from third countries and to support a “Made in EU” approach. At the same time, stakeholders caution that these measures must be carefully calibrated to avoid increasing production costs excessively or disrupting global supply chains. Flexibility is recommended, particularly in recognising partnerships with allied countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia and Japan.

    Green public procurement is identified as another key lever, with calls for minimum EU-wide standards based on life-cycle sustainability criteria. Industry groups argue that procurement frameworks should prioritise material efficiency, recyclability and end-of-life recovery, while remaining achievable and aligned with existing regulatory frameworks.

    Permitting reform is also highlighted as a major requirement. Current processes for obtaining environmental approvals can take years, delaying investment and project development. Stakeholders propose the introduction of EU-wide time limits for permitting decisions, alongside measures to streamline administrative procedures and improve regulatory predictability.

    Access to finance remains a central concern, particularly given the high capital and operating costs associated with decarbonisation. The IAA is expected to support both CAPEX and OPEX through long-term, predictable funding mechanisms, including carbon contracts for difference and dedicated instruments to mitigate energy price volatility.

    In addition, stakeholders advocate for a more coordinated approach to critical raw materials, including tailored stockpiling strategies to enhance short-term supply security. However, they emphasise that long-term resilience will depend on increasing domestic extraction, processing and recycling capacity within Europe.

    Overall, industry representatives stress that the success of the IAA will depend on its ability to balance climate ambition with industrial competitiveness. Without addressing structural cost disadvantages and regulatory barriers, they warn that Europe risks further erosion of its metals production base in an increasingly competitive global market.

  • EU Lawmaker Says Serbia’s Jadar Lithium Project Remains Frozen Amid Legal Uncertainty

    EU Lawmaker Says Serbia’s Jadar Lithium Project Remains Frozen Amid Legal Uncertainty

    The proposed Jadar lithium project in Serbia remains suspended due to legal and regulatory uncertainty, despite its strategic importance for Europe’s critical raw materials supply, according to European Parliament representative Hildegard Bentele.

    Speaking to Deutsche Welle, Bentele, a member of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union and rapporteur on critical raw materials policy in the European Parliament, said the project remains “frozen,” although mining major Rio Tinto continues to retain exploitation rights over the deposit.

    She noted that the project could play a significant role in strengthening Europe’s lithium supply chain while delivering economic benefits to Serbia, provided a stable and reliable legal framework is established. According to Bentele, Rio Tinto has indicated its intention to comply with environmental and social standards should regulatory conditions improve.

    The Jadar project, considered one of Europe’s largest lithium deposits, had previously been included on the European Union’s list of strategic raw material projects. Plans linked the development to potential downstream battery manufacturing investments, including earlier discussions involving German industry and automotive supply chains.

    However, Bentele stressed that lithium mining projects require predictable licensing systems and institutional stability, conditions she believes are currently lacking. She pointed to concerns over governance, judicial independence and public trust in state authorities as key factors contributing to the project’s suspension.

    The EU, she added, will not pressure Rio Tinto to resume development under present circumstances, describing continued investment as too risky without regulatory certainty. The company’s earlier decision to halt implementation in Serbia’s Jadar Valley was therefore understandable given public opposition and doubts surrounding permitting procedures.

    While acknowledging broader challenges in sourcing critical minerals globally, often located in politically complex jurisdictions, Bentele emphasised that Serbia’s status as an EU candidate country places importance on alignment with European governance and environmental standards.

    According to her assessment, the future of the Jadar project depends primarily on improvements to Serbia’s legal and institutional framework. Until then, the project remains suspended rather than permanently cancelled, leaving open the possibility of future development if regulatory stability is restored.

  • Romania Eyes Rare Earth Refining Capacity to Become Global Critical Materials Player

    Romania Eyes Rare Earth Refining Capacity to Become Global Critical Materials Player

    Romania could emerge as a global force in the rare metals industry as it moves to develop domestic refining capacity, Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan said in an interview with Antena 3.

    Ivan argued that Romania already possesses strong industrial foundations, including major automotive and industrial wiring manufacturers that currently import refined copper from countries such as India, China and Turkey, despite much of the raw ore being mined domestically. He said the establishment of a rare earths refinery would encourage high-tech manufacturers, including aerospace component producers, to relocate closer to Romanian industrial hubs such as Brasov, Sibiu and Feldioara.

    According to the minister, three Romanian projects involving critical raw materials were recognised by the European Union as strategically significant in April 2025. One of them is a €300 million investment to build the country’s first copper refinery in Hunedoara county. The project is being developed by a private Romanian company in partnership with state-owned copper miner CupruMin. Currently, copper ore extracted in Hunedoara is exported for refining in Turkey and Asia before being re-imported for use in domestic manufacturing.

    Two additional projects, worth a combined €315 million, focus on metallic magnesium extraction in Bihor county and battery-grade graphite extraction in Gorj county. The Bihor project involves companies from the United States and Canada, while the graphite project in Baia de Fier is operated by majority state-owned company Salrom.

    Ivan also confirmed ongoing discussions with a US-based mining company holding licences for rare earth deposits in Greenland. By mid-April, Romania expects to finalise the terms of what would become its first fully integrated project covering extraction, refining and downstream consumption of rare earth materials. The minister said the US company already holds contracts with major aerospace firms.

    In December, the Energy Ministry announced that the Feldioara Uranium Concentrate Processing Plant, a subsidiary of Nuclearelectrica, would establish a joint venture with US-based Critical Metals Corp. Under the plan, 50% of rare earths extracted from a major Greenland deposit would be processed at the Feldioara facility. The initiative could position Romania as a stable supplier of strategic materials for microprocessors, aerospace and defence industries.

    The project may receive financing under the European RESourceEU Action Plan, which has a budget of up to €3 billion.

  • Romania Claims EU Leadership in Critical Raw Materials as US Partnerships Advance

    Romania Claims EU Leadership in Critical Raw Materials as US Partnerships Advance

    Romania holds 16 of the 32 critical raw materials designated at EU level and ranks first in the bloc in terms of subsoil resources for rare earths and strategic minerals, Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan has said.

    Speaking to local media, Ivan stated that Romania possesses half of the critical elements Europe considers essential, with some found only in Romania and at most one other EU member state. The minister argued that this positions the country as a key pillar of Europe’s resource security strategy.

    Romania is already working with what Ivan described as an “extremely important” American company in efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese critical minerals. According to local reports, this partner is likely Critical Metals Corp, which has links to investor Frank Timiș.

    Ivan acknowledged, however, that Romania currently lacks an integrated processing and refining chain for these materials. Developing such infrastructure would, he said, create the first fully integrated rare earth processing chain in the western hemisphere, potentially supplying strategic industries including aerospace and advanced technology manufacturers such as SpaceX.

    Discussions are also reportedly under way regarding cooperation between Critical Metals Corp and Nuclearelectrica (BVB: SNN). The proposal involves transforming the uranium processing facility at Feldioara into a plant capable of refining rare earth elements sourced from Greenland.

    In parallel, Ivan highlighted three Romanian projects included under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, with a combined value of around EUR 615 million. According to European Commission data, these projects are being developed by Euro Sun Mining (copper), Salrom (graphite), and Verde Magnesium (magnesium). One of the projects, Euro Sun Mining’s copper development, currently lacks a valid environmental permit.

    The minister’s remarks come as the European Union intensifies efforts to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on external suppliers amid geopolitical tensions and rising demand from the energy transition and defense sectors.

  • Germany Seeks Deeper Partnership With Australia on Critical Raw Materials

    Germany Seeks Deeper Partnership With Australia on Critical Raw Materials

    Germany is looking to strengthen its cooperation with Australia on the supply and development of critical raw materials, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Thursday during an official visit to Canberra.

    Following talks with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Wadephul described Australia as a key partner for Germany in diversifying global supply chains. He highlighted the strategic importance of minerals extracted in Australia, particularly lithium, and said Berlin is keen to expand collaboration in the raw materials sector.

    Australia hosts some of the world’s most significant mineral resources, including the largest hard-rock lithium mine, located near the town of Greenbushes south of Perth. The site spans more than 2000 hectares and is responsible for roughly 20% of global lithium production. Lithium is a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries used in consumer electronics and electric vehicles.

    In addition to lithium, Australia holds substantial reserves of rare earth elements such as neodymium and terbium, which are essential for manufacturing permanent magnets used in electric motors and other advanced technologies.

    Wadephul acknowledged that closer cooperation in developing and exploiting mineral resources would require significant financial investment. He noted that extraction and processing of critical raw materials can be costly, but emphasised that Germany’s economy is particularly reliant on secure access to these resources.

  • Greenland’s Vast Mineral Potential Draws Strategic Attention as Arctic Competition Intensifies

    Greenland’s Vast Mineral Potential Draws Strategic Attention as Arctic Competition Intensifies

    Greenland’s mineral resources are increasingly attracting international interest as competition over critical raw materials expands into the Arctic, according to Prof. Krzysztof Szamałek, director of the Polish Geological Institute in Warsaw. He noted that the island’s geological potential has gained prominence amid growing geopolitical rivalry and renewed debate over Arctic security.

    Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has recently returned to the global spotlight following statements by US President Donald Trump emphasizing the island’s importance to American security. According to estimates cited by Poland’s state news agency PAP, the theoretical value of Greenland’s resource base could reach USD 4.4 trillion, including around USD 1.4 trillion in oil and approximately USD 1.5 trillion in rare earth elements.

    Szamałek explained that Greenland’s resources are strategically significant because they include critical raw materials essential for modern industry, where supply disruptions could severely constrain production. The European Union identified 34 critical raw materials two years ago, many of which are vital for advanced technologies and energy systems.

    However, he cautioned that current knowledge of Greenland’s mineral wealth remains preliminary. Most assessments confirm the presence of mineral-bearing formations rather than verified reserves. Detailed exploration, drilling, and resource calculations would still be required, and the island’s ice-covered interior could hold additional geological insights in the future.

    Potential deposits identified so far include graphite, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, platinum group elements, and precious metals used in electronics and electrical engineering, as well as strontium, titanium, hafnium, and zirconium. Szamałek stressed that these resources are “estimated, not fully documented,” and that development would be a long and complex process.

    Most known deposits are located in offshore areas and along Greenland’s coastline, reflecting the fact that roughly 80 percent of the island is covered by an ice sheet. Of the EU’s 34 critical raw materials, Szamałek said 25 are believed to occur in Greenland, compared with only four or five in Poland, depending on classification.

    He also pointed out that China currently dominates the production of many rare earth elements, and that interest in Greenland is driven largely by efforts to diversify supply chains rather than by an immediate global shortage. Extracting minerals from beneath Greenland’s ice sheet, he added, remains technologically untested and unnecessary at this stage.

  • Poland Urges Brussels to Act Over Ukraine’s Steel Scrap Export Ban

    Poland Urges Brussels to Act Over Ukraine’s Steel Scrap Export Ban

    Poland has asked the European Commission to intervene after Ukraine introduced measures that effectively halt exports of steel scrap to the European Union, a move Warsaw warns could undermine the competitiveness of its steel industry.

    The dispute highlights growing trade frictions between the two close partners at a time when the EU continues to provide political, financial and military support to Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion. While Poland remains one of Kyiv’s strongest allies, tensions have mounted over trade flows, including agricultural products, transit corridors and now scrap metal.

    From January 1, Ukraine set export quotas for ferrous scrap at zero, effectively blocking shipments of a key input for electric arc furnaces. Poland’s Ministry of Development and Technology said the restrictions are already disrupting supply chains and risk driving up costs for domestic steelmakers.

    Roughly half of Poland’s steel output is produced using electric arc furnaces, which rely heavily on scrap as their primary raw material. In recent years, Poland has been the main destination for Ukrainian scrap exports. According to the ministry, a prolonged shortage could lead to higher production costs, weaker competitiveness and a real risk of output cuts and job losses in the sector.

    Kyiv has defended the measure as a wartime necessity, arguing that limiting exports helps support Ukraine’s own steel industry. Polish industry representatives counter that the policy lowers input costs for Ukrainian producers while increasing prices for manufacturers in the EU.

    Warsaw says it attempted to avert the restrictions before they took effect. On December 18, 2025, the Polish ministry sent a formal letter to Ukraine’s deputy economy minister urging the government to reconsider plans that would block scrap exports. With no response and the zero quotas now in force, Poland escalated the issue to Brussels.

    Following the Ukrainian government’s decision, the ministry formally requested urgent intervention from the European Commission, describing the quotas as a de facto export ban. Polish officials added that the matter will also be raised during upcoming bilateral talks with Ukrainian counterparts.

  • Sibanye-Stillwater completes assessment of Keliber lithium project, confirms staged start-up plan

    Sibanye-Stillwater completes assessment of Keliber lithium project, confirms staged start-up plan

    Sibanye-Stillwater has completed a multidisciplinary assessment of its Keliber lithium project in Finland, confirming the project’s technical readiness and outlining a staged approach to commissioning amid current market conditions.

    The Keliber project is regarded as the European Union’s most advanced fully integrated lithium development, with planned production of around 15,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate over a mine life exceeding 18 years. It is also one of the few lithium hydroxide refineries outside China and has been designated a strategic project under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, reflecting its importance to the bloc’s battery supply chain.

    According to Sibanye-Stillwater, construction of the fully integrated mine, concentrator and refinery remains on track, with completion of the construction phase and cold commissioning expected in the first quarter of 2026. The total capital investment required to complete construction is estimated at approximately €783 million.

    Following the assessment, Sibanye-Stillwater and its strategic partner, Finnish Minerals Group, have agreed that a staged start-up represents the most prudent path forward. Under this approach, initial commissioning will focus on achieving operational readiness at the mining and concentrating stages before determining the timing for commissioning the refinery.

    The company said this phased strategy is intended to reduce ramp-up risks while preserving financial flexibility, allowing certain capital expenditures and refining ramp-up costs to be deferred depending on lithium market conditions. Finnish Minerals Group is preparing to contribute additional funding on a pro rata basis in line with its 20% equity stake to support the project through the ramp-up period.

    Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Richard Stewart said the agreed approach balances technical readiness with market realities, ensuring the project advances in a responsible and commercially disciplined manner while remaining positioned to supply locally produced lithium into the EU battery value chain.

  • Portugal aims to launch lithium prospecting tender in 2025 with focus on local benefits

    Portugal aims to launch lithium prospecting tender in 2025 with focus on local benefits

    Portugal’s government plans to launch a long-delayed tender for lithium prospecting licenses later this year, as part of efforts to strengthen Europe’s battery materials supply chain while addressing local opposition to mining projects. Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho said the government is preparing a national mining strategy to be finalized by the summer, with an emphasis on community involvement and regional value creation.

    Portugal currently holds around 60,000 tonnes of lithium reserves and is Europe’s largest lithium producer, though output has traditionally been used for ceramics rather than battery-grade material. Expanding into battery-quality lithium is seen as critical for reducing Europe’s dependence on imports and supporting the continent’s clean energy transition.

    Carvalho told Reuters that future mining projects would prioritize keeping economic benefits within the country, sharing revenues regionally and creating local jobs. She added that the government is reviewing international best Reed practices while moving quickly to unlock investment. The original tender was first planned in 2018 but was repeatedly delayed due to political instability, including the collapse of several governments. The current minority administration took office in March 2025.

    Regulatory progress has already been made on specific projects. Portugal’s environmental agency APA has granted initial approval for lithium extraction at the Barroso mine, operated by Savannah Resources, as well as the Montalegre project developed by local firm Lusorecursos.

    Separately, Carvalho commented on ongoing talks between Portuguese energy company Galp and private equity-backed Moeve regarding a potential merger of their oil refining businesses. If completed, the deal would create one of Europe’s largest refining groups, with a combined capacity of about 700,000 barrels per day. The Portuguese state currently holds an 8% stake in Galp.

  • Greenland’s Kvanefjeld rare earth project highlights Europe’s late scramble for strategic minerals

    Greenland’s Kvanefjeld rare earth project highlights Europe’s late scramble for strategic minerals

    On Greenland’s southern tip, the Kvanefjeld mining project has become a symbol of both vast opportunity and prolonged paralysis. Beneath its icy terrain lies one of the world’s most significant deposits of neodymium and praseodymium, rare earth elements essential for wind turbines, electric vehicles and advanced military technologies. If developed, Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, would become the first European source of these critical materials.

    The project is led by Energy Transition Minerals, which has long signaled readiness to move into production. However, progress stalled after the Greenlandic government imposed a ban on uranium mining in 2021, citing environmental and public health concerns. Because rare earths at Kvanefjeld are geologically associated with uranium, the ban effectively froze the project, triggering legal disputes that continue to delay development.

    Former Danish foreign minister Jeppe Kofod, now a strategic adviser to Energy Transition Minerals, said the case illustrates how regulatory uncertainty, geopolitics and high capital requirements can obstruct even strategically vital projects. Despite Greenland holding rare earth resources estimated to cover up to a quarter of global demand, alongside substantial oil, gas and other mineral potential, only two small mines are currently operating on the island.

    European interest has increased only recently. In 2023, the European Union signed a memorandum of understanding with Greenland to cooperate on mining projects, followed by the adoption of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, which explicitly recognizes Greenland’s strategic importance. The European Commission has since committed funding to Greenland’s Malmbjerg molybdenum project to support defense-related supply chains.

    Analysts warn, however, that Europe may have moved too slowly. With the United States and China intensifying their focus on Greenland’s resources and U.S. President Donald Trump openly signaling aggressive ambitions toward the island, European policymakers risk being sidelined. Greenland’s harsh climate, limited infrastructure, small population and strict environmental rules further complicate development, even as climate change gradually improves access to previously icebound regions.

    While Brussels maintains that the future of Greenland’s resources rests solely with its people and elected authorities, growing geopolitical pressure suggests that external powers may play an increasingly decisive role in shaping the island’s mining future.