MINEX Forum

Tag: Critical raw materials

  • Military Metals Targets Strategic Antimony-Gold Potential in Slovakia’s Tiennesgrund Project

    Military Metals Targets Strategic Antimony-Gold Potential in Slovakia’s Tiennesgrund Project

    Military Metals (CSE: MILI) says its Tiennesgrund Antimony-Gold Project in eastern Slovakia could play a key role in bolstering Europe’s strategic resource independence. Following a preliminary field inspection and historical data review, CEO Scott Eldridge highlighted the project’s potential to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act.

    “Antimony is listed as a critical raw material under the EU’s CRMA, and our project has potential to support the continent’s ambition to secure domestic supply chains for essential minerals,” Eldridge said. “We’re proud of the possibility that we may contribute to Europe’s resilience in the face of global resource volatility and will seek to help power the technologies that drive the green and defence sectors.”

    The 13 km-long, 0.8–1.4 km-wide property hosts numerous historical adits, where mineralised material remains visible in waste dumps. Historical sampling indicates antimony grades between 2.5% and 39.4%, and gold grades from 0.07 g/t to 9.6 g/t.

    A field campaign is planned for October 2025 to study structural controls of mineralisation and define drill targets. The program will include trenching, sampling, and mapping, with drill testing to follow where results indicate significant concentrations of antimony and gold.

    Military Metals, based in British Columbia, focuses on acquiring and advancing mineral projects with a particular emphasis on antimony, a metal critical to batteries, renewable energy systems, flame retardants, and advanced technologies such as liquid metal batteries and solar panels.

    Antimony prices have remained stable since July, with Shanghai Metals Market data showing No.1 ingot prices between ¥185,000 and ¥188,000 ($39,456–$40,092) per tonne.

  • Rock Tech Lithium Secures German Government Funding to Boost Lithium Recovery Efficiency

    Rock Tech Lithium Secures German Government Funding to Boost Lithium Recovery Efficiency

    Rock Tech Lithium Inc. (TSXV: RCK) has received funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt) to advance its “ELiSePro – Efficient Lithium Recovery Using Selective Processes” project. The initiative aims to enhance lithium yield at the company’s Guben converter facility, strengthening Germany’s raw material independence and supporting the European battery supply chain.

    Developed in partnership with RWTH Aachen University, the €250,000 project will test advanced ion separation technologies — including nanofiltration, capacitive deionization, and lithium-ion sieves — to reduce lithium losses in processing. Results will be assessed using both economic and technological metrics, with direct application to industrial operations at Guben. Findings are expected to be published in scientific journals and considered for patent protection.

    “This funding supports the technological advancement of the German and European battery industry,” said Rock Tech CEO Mirco Wojnarowicz. “Even though it’s a relatively small amount, it’s an important step toward building additional know-how, securing critical raw materials, and creating sustainable value chains in Europe.”

    The award marks the third public funding program Rock Tech has secured in recent months, adding to €800,000 from EIT RawMaterials under the KAVA program and C$388,000 from Ontario’s Critical Minerals Innovation Fund for lithium ore sorting technologies. Rock Tech’s German converter project has been designated a strategic initiative under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).

  • Greece Emerges as Europe’s Strategic Hub for Gallium Production

    Greece Emerges as Europe’s Strategic Hub for Gallium Production

    A new ARTE documentary has spotlighted a bauxite mine in central Greece as the European Union’s only domestic source of gallium — a critical mineral essential to the production of solar panels, LED lights, and smartphones. The project aims to bolster Europe’s strategic autonomy by reducing reliance on Chinese imports, which currently dominate the global gallium market.

    The gallium extraction initiative, tied to the historic Aluminum of Greece plant operated by Metlen, has been officially designated as a Strategic Project under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Regulation (CRMA). Gallium is primarily derived as a by-product of alumina production from bauxite, positioning Greece at the centre of the EU’s clean energy and digital transformation plans.

    Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the investment’s national significance, noting it is part of a wider €2.4 billion wave of projects approved across Europe. In his weekly address, Mitsotakis emphasized the role of gallium in creating a domestic value chain for semiconductor manufacturing and Europe’s broader technological independence.

    “This investment lays the groundwork for a high-tech value chain that contributes to Europe’s productive autonomy,” he stated, citing a €3.6 million state-supported plan to launch Greece’s first Semiconductor Competence Center in partnership with HETiA.

    Currently, the majority of the world’s gallium is sourced from China, with additional production in Russia, Germany, Kazakhstan, and Japan. However, Europe’s efforts to scale its domestic production include both primary mining and secondary recycling of gallium-rich electronic waste.

    Gallium-based compounds like gallium arsenide and gallium nitride are used widely in semiconductors, laser diodes, and infrared applications. With 95% of global gallium supply allocated to the semiconductor sector, Greece’s emerging role could prove pivotal in supporting the EU’s climate and digital goals.

  • Coal Energy Eyes Polish and Romanian Mines for Revival Despite Phase-Out Plans

    Coal Energy Eyes Polish and Romanian Mines for Revival Despite Phase-Out Plans

    Coal Energy, a Ukrainian-rooted company listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, has announced plans to restart coal mining operations in Poland and Romania—specifically targeting previously closed or unprofitable mines. The firm, which once managed 10 coal mines in Ukraine’s Donbas region before losing control of them due to the Russian invasion, now aims to leverage its turnaround experience to breathe new life into dormant European sites.

    One of the company’s main targets is the Siltech mine in Zabrze, Poland, slated for closure at the end of 2025. Despite Poland’s national plan to phase out coal by 2049, Coal Energy sees strategic value in resuming operations at the mine, especially to supply coal back to Ukraine. The firm plans to utilize cost-effective mining technologies to make the project economically viable.

    To fund the endeavor, Coal Energy is looking to raise over PLN 14.5 million (approximately $3.76 million) through the issuance of convertible bonds and warrants aimed at private investors. Alongside coal, the company is also exploring opportunities to mine other critical raw materials, including kaolin, phosphorite, feldspar, sulfur, and limestone.

    Though based in Luxembourg, Coal Energy’s long-standing operational history in Eastern Europe positions it as a potential player in reshaping parts of the region’s post-coal landscape—even amid tightening decarbonization timelines.

  • Kazakhstan Eyes Industrial Revolution Through Waste Mineral Reprocessing

    Kazakhstan Eyes Industrial Revolution Through Waste Mineral Reprocessing

    Kazakhstan is sitting on more than 55 billion tonnes of technogenic mineral formations (TMFs) — the result of decades of intensive mining and mineral processing. But while this massive reserve of industrial waste is growing by 300–700 million tonnes annually, only 11% is currently being recycled, far behind the 70–80% reprocessing rate in developed countries.

    TMFs — tailings, slags, ashes, and waste rock — often contain valuable residual metals such as copper, zinc, and rare earth elements. As traditional ore reserves diminish, these “wastes” present a significant opportunity to recover critical resources and reduce environmental harm.

    President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has highlighted the importance of moving from accumulation to utilization of TMFs. Reprocessing could not only ease ecological pressure, but also fuel industrialization, support single-industry towns, create jobs, and help diversify the national economy.

    Experts warn, however, that current legislation lacks clarity. TMFs are simultaneously classified as both waste and subsoil resources, meaning they are taxed like raw mineral output but lack a clear legal framework for extraction and reuse. Calls are growing for reforms to reclassify certain TMFs as secondary resources under Kazakhstan’s Environmental Code.

    The Ministry of Industry and Construction has begun an inventory of TMFs and is working on a roadmap to support rare and rare earth metal sectors. Officials are considering simplified licenses for TMF processing and legal changes to allow removal of TMFs from residential areas.

    At the same time, industrial players are already investing in practical solutions. Qarmet is advancing 10 reprocessing projects worth over $137 million, while ERG Recycling processes over 1 million tonnes of TMFs annually, developing new materials for construction and metallurgy.

    Experts emphasize that unlocking the full potential of TMFs requires tax incentives, green investment, and robust science-business-government coordination. Kazakhstan’s new Tax Code includes a reduced mineral extraction tax rate (0.1 coefficient) for materials recovered from TMFs, signaling progress.

    Ultimately, stakeholders agree that TMF reprocessing must become core industrial policy. “It’s not just a technological issue — it’s a matter of national importance,” said Gulnara Bizhanova of Atameken. With soaring global demand for metals and a drive toward green energy, Kazakhstan could evolve from a raw material exporter into a producer of high-tech, value-added goods.

  • Romania’s Salrom Secures License Extension for Strategic Graphite Project

    Romania’s Salrom Secures License Extension for Strategic Graphite Project

    Romania’s state-owned National Salt Company, Salrom, has received an extension for its graphite exploitation license in the Ungurelașu–Polovragi area, reinforcing its role in Europe’s drive to secure domestic sources of strategic raw materials. The development is part of a wider European Commission initiative aimed at reducing reliance on imports for battery-critical materials.

    Salrom’s graphite project is one of 47 strategic initiatives selected by the European Commission under its programme to support the production and processing of key raw materials across 13 EU countries. The company has requested €198.3 million in EU funding to build the extraction and processing infrastructure necessary to produce battery-grade graphite.

    The initiative includes the extraction of graphite shale, the establishment of advanced refining facilities, and the production of high-purity graphite — a crucial component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and energy storage systems. If approved, the project could position Romania as a key graphite supplier in the EU.

    Salrom highlighted the economic and strategic importance of the investment, calling it a major opportunity to “maximize the potential of this useful mineral substance.” Graphite is currently listed as a critical raw material due to its essential role in the energy transition and Europe’s limited domestic supply.

    The Ungurelașu–Polovragi project is one of three Romanian ventures backed under the EU’s strategic raw materials programme.

  • EU Clamps Down on China Trade Imbalance Despite Rare Earth Breakthrough

    EU Clamps Down on China Trade Imbalance Despite Rare Earth Breakthrough

    The EU, after a one-day summit in Beijing, struck a tentative deal with China to ease export restrictions on crucial rare earths. However, the bloc remains resolute in its demand for a significant rebalancing of trade relations, amidst lingering tensions over industrial overcapacity and market access.

    Trade Concerns Remain Despite Rare Earth Deal:

    • The EU welcomed China’s rapid-fire approval of rare earth export licenses and a new oversight system for supply chain issues, addressing concerns triggered by Beijing’s earlier restrictions.
    • However, EU leaders emphasized the need for further progress to tackle the €300 billion trade deficit with China in 2024, exceeding the bloc’s acceptance of “fair competition” and calling for greater market access in China for European businesses.

    Key Points of Contention:

    • Market Access: The EU insists on reciprocal market access for its companies, similar to the access enjoyed by Chinese firms in Europe, highlighting persistent discrepancies in access and treatment.
    • Industrial Overcapacity: Brussels remains critical of China’s use of subsidies to fuel domestic industries, creating artificial competition and cutting into European firms’ market share.
    • Ukraine War: The EU criticized China’s support for Russia, accusing it of enabling the ongoing conflict, despite China’s denial.

    Impact of Recent Trade Disputes:

    • The recent trade dispute over electric vehicle tariffs was exemplified by the EU’s imposition of duties on Chinese-made EV imports, followed by retaliatory moves from Beijing targeting EU agricultural products.

    Looking Forward:

    • While the summit yielded progress on rare earths, fundamental disagreements persist regarding trade imbalance, market access, industrial practices, and China’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war.
    • The EU warned that failure to address these issues could compel it to reconsider its openness to Chinese trade and investment.

    Overall Tone:

    The summit signals a mixed bag for EU-China relations. While the rare earth accord offers a glimmer of hope, deep-rooted trade concerns and political disagreements suggest a more complex and potentially volatile future.

  • Vulcan Secures €104 Million in German State Grants for Clean Lithium Production

    Vulcan Secures €104 Million in German State Grants for Clean Lithium Production

    German-Australian start-up Vulcan Energy Resources has been awarded €104 million in public funding to advance its clean lithium production project in Germany, the company announced on Tuesday. The funding comes from the federal government and the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse, and is part of Berlin’s broader strategy to boost electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and reduce dependency on foreign raw material imports.

    The grants will support Vulcan’s €690 million investment in a geothermal-powered lithium extraction and refining facility. The project includes a plant in Landau, where lithium chloride will be extracted from geothermal brines, and a conversion plant near Frankfurt to produce lithium hydroxide — a vital input for EV battery production.

    The company aims to commission its first large-scale industrial plant by the end of 2026, with a projected annual output of 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide. This volume would be sufficient to power approximately 500,000 EVs per year, according to Vulcan.

    Germany currently relies heavily on lithium imports from countries such as Australia, Argentina, Chile, and China. However, a recent study by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources and the Fraunhofer IEG suggests the country has enough lithium reserves to meet domestic demand for decades.

    Germany’s lithium demand is expected to hit 170,000 tonnes annually by 2030, driven by a sharp rise in battery production needs. Economy Ministry State Secretary Stefan Rouenhoff emphasized the importance of the project, stating: “In times of increasing geopolitical challenges, it is necessary to intensify efforts to open up alternative sources of raw materials for our domestic economy.”

    The €104 million in grants will begin disbursement on October 1, spread over a 36-month period. The federal states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse will each co-finance approximately 30% of the total support package.

  • EU Rearmament Plan Faces Hidden Achilles’ Heel: Critical Raw Materials Dependence

    EU Rearmament Plan Faces Hidden Achilles’ Heel: Critical Raw Materials Dependence

    As Europe escalates its defence preparedness in response to mounting geopolitical tensions, a critical but often overlooked vulnerability threatens to undermine its rearmament efforts: an overwhelming dependence on foreign supplies of critical raw materials (CRMs).

    From aluminium to tantalum, modern military hardware — including main battle tanks, aircraft and electronics — relies heavily on minerals that are scarce or nearly absent in Europe. The European Commission admits that the bloc currently produces just 1% to 5% of its CRM needs, while demand for materials like lithium and rare earths is expected to surge exponentially by 2050.

    A new report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies warns that many of the EU’s potential adversaries — including China, Russia, and Turkey — dominate global supply chains for these vital resources. From 2016 to 2020, China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo led global production of 17 CRMs listed by the EU as essential for civilian and defence technologies.

    Europe’s Critical Raw Materials Act, introduced in 2024, sets ambitious goals to localise 10% of CRM extraction, 40% of processing, and 25% of recycling by 2030. It also aims to ensure no more than 65% of any one material comes from a single country. But industry experts and analysts warn that implementation is lagging far behind targets.

    Rebecca Lucas of RAND Europe calls for deeper diversification and international collaboration, while the Aerospace, Security & Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) stresses that access to CRMs is now “indispensable” to Europe’s defence strategy.

    Stockpiling, while increasingly adopted at the national level — notably in France, Spain, and Germany — remains logistically and politically complicated at the EU level. Some materials require strict storage conditions and sensitive handling, complicating bloc-wide coordination.

    The EU is also turning to “trusted” partners like Australia, Canada, and South American countries to fill gaps in supply, according to EPP advisor Gregor Nägeli. But without significant progress in domestic production, recycling, and substitution technologies, Europe’s green and defence ambitions risk being hamstrung by a strategic dependency that rivals — and perhaps exceeds — its former reliance on Russian energy.

  • Savannah Resources Raises £4.24M to Advance Barroso Lithium Project in Portugal

    Savannah Resources Raises £4.24M to Advance Barroso Lithium Project in Portugal

    Savannah Resources Plc (LON:SAVS, AIM:SAV) has successfully raised £4.24 million ($5.81 million) to fund its flagship Barroso Lithium Project in northern Portugal, the company announced on Friday. The fundraising was completed through an accelerated bookbuild and subscription, with shares priced at 3.5 pence each.

    The raise included £2.22 million via a placement of over 63 million shares and a minimum of £2.02 million from the subscription of nearly 58 million shares. Savannah’s retail offer remains open until July 1, with final figures to be announced thereafter.

    Key institutional investors participated in the raise, including AMG Lithium B.V., Al Marjan Limited, Grupo Lusiaves SGPS, and Mário Nuno dos Santos Ferreira, as well as company directors Rick Anthon and Dale Ferguson, who subscribed for a combined 1,000,002 shares.

    The new shares are set to begin trading on AIM on July 2.

    CEO Emanuel Proença emphasized that the proceeds will bolster Savannah’s financial position and support continued development of the Barroso Lithium Project, designated a Strategic Project by the European Commission under the Critical Raw Materials Act in March 2025.

    According to the company, Barroso is Europe’s largest defined battery-grade spodumene lithium deposit and is forecasted to supply enough lithium for around 500,000 EV battery packs annually once in production.

    The bookbuilding was led by SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP, with Canaccord Genuity Limited, Caixa-Banco de Investimento, S.A, and Alantra Equities, SV, S.A acting as joint bookrunners.