MINEX Forum

Tag: Critical raw materials

  • EU Urged to Prioritise ESG in Central Asia’s Raw Materials Push

    EU Urged to Prioritise ESG in Central Asia’s Raw Materials Push

    The EU must prioritize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in its dealings with Central Asia to secure its access to crucial raw materials, commentators warn.

    The bloc arrived in Samarkand this April with a hefty €13.2 billion Global Gateway package, signaling a desire to move beyond merely buying raw materials from the region. A significant portion, €2.5 billion, is earmarked for new mining and processing projects in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and beyond. This drive is born out of necessity: the EU still relies entirely on China for its heavy rare-earth imports and faces the growing risk of vulnerability.

    While geographically late to the game, Europe has a unique advantage: a reputation for robust ESG practices. Local executives cite European partners as “a sign of quality” due to their unwavering adherence to these standards, something often lacking in Chinese or Russian counterparts. However, this edge relies on Brussels consistently embedding ESG into every euro invested. This means robust monitoring and auditing of remediation plans, transparent royalty structures, and genuine upfront consultation with local communities.

    The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) sets ambitious goals: attaining 10 percent mining, 40 percent processing, and 25 percent recycling of Europe’s annual CRM demand domestically or in trusted partner states by 2030.

    Realising these goals in Central Asia necessitates investment in sustainable technologies. This includes financing water-efficient processing plants, closed-loop waste systems, and solar-powered smelters, rather than simply opening more exploitative mines.

    The EU’s efforts are beginning to take shape, with the spotlight falling on graphite. Kazakhstan’s Sarytogan deposit has been placed on the EU Commission’s list of “strategic projects” eligible for expedited permits and loan guarantees under the CRMA. Meanwhile, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has taken a significant stake in the mine operator, marking a direct investment in the region’s CRM sector. The EU is now actively seeking downstream investors to refine indigenous graphite into anode-grade product, capturing added value that historically flowed to Chinese refiners.

    Lithium development is following a similar trajectory. A partnership between HMS Bergbau and Kazakhstan’s Creada Corporation aims to unlock the potential of Kazakh spodumene through extraction, processing, and refining into battery-ready lithium hydroxide. This would be a direct response to the EU’s new battery-passport regulations, which require materials of a certain purity.

    However, Europe faces a formidable competitor: China. The PRC Mineral Resources Law mandates environmental remediation planning before mining commences, setting a new baseline for responsible resource extraction. While welcomed, the application details remain vague, lacking guarantees on local community engagement and enforcement mechanisms, potentially creating loopholes for exploitation.

    Adding to the pressure, Chinese capital is expanding downstream. East Hope Group’s landmark $12 billion investment in Kazakh non-ferrous metals signifies a vertical integration approach—from mining and smelting to fabrication and renewable power generation. This $12 billion vertical integration project in Kazakhstan showcases China’s willingness to build a fully controllable supply chain.

    Europe must act strategically to counter these challenges.

    Firstly, financial aid should be contingent on stringent ESG benchmarks. EU financing must go hand-in-hand with clear, enforceable standards – ISO-compliant tailings dams, methane monitoring, gender-balanced workforce plans, and robust penalties for non-compliance.

    Secondly, the EU should focus on fostering value-adding industries beyond mining. This means investing in processing plants and recycling facilities, not just mines. By creating domestic processing hubs for cathode powders or rare-earth magnets, the CRMA’s 40 percent processing target can be achieved, generating jobs, technology transfer, and increased tax revenue for beneficiary countries.

    Finally, the EU must simplify visa requirements for Central Asian technical personnel. A targeted visa-facilitation agreement could allow them to train in Europe and return, strengthening the region’s skilled workforce.

    Securing a stable and sustainable supply of raw materials is a critical challenge for the EU. While China’s economic clout is undeniable, Europe has the opportunity to win this race by leveraging its commitment to ESG principles and building a truly sustainable, transparent, and trust-based partnership with Central Asia.

    Time is of the essence. The next 18 months, before China’s revised mining law takes full effect and East Hope’s megaproject begins construction, provide a crucial window for the EU to demonstrate its commitment to ESG beyond rhetoric. The stakes are high, as the fate of Europe’s essential raw materials supply hangs in the balance.

  • Rio Tinto Reevaluates Cost of Serbian Lithium Project Amid EU Backing and Local Opposition

    Rio Tinto Reevaluates Cost of Serbian Lithium Project Amid EU Backing and Local Opposition

    Rio Tinto is revising the estimated capital cost of its contentious Jadar lithium project in Serbia after it was designated one of the European Commission’s 13 strategic critical materials projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). Chad Blewitt, managing director of the Jadar mine, confirmed the update in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday.

    The project, initially valued at over €2.55 billion ($2.91 billion), is being recalculated to reflect EU environmental and human rights standards tied to its strategic status. “That will be reflected in the final capital cost,” Blewitt said, noting that no revised figure or timeline would be shared until the company secures a field exploitation licence.

    The Jadar project was halted in 2022 after mass protests over environmental concerns led the Serbian government to revoke Rio Tinto’s exploration permits. However, the Constitutional Court reinstated the licences in 2023, allowing the Anglo-Australian miner to resume planning.

    If realized, the mine could meet 90% of Europe’s current lithium demand, playing a central role in the continent’s green energy and digital transformation strategies. Despite this, local opposition remains strong, with activists threatening fresh protests and transport blockades if construction proceeds.

    “Whatever happens next will involve multiple stages of scrutiny and public consultation,” Blewitt emphasized, adding that the project could position Serbia as a pivotal supplier in Europe’s lithium supply chain.

    Rio Tinto is one of the few global mining giants heavily investing in lithium amid a market downturn. Its $6.7 billion acquisition of U.S.-based Arcadium Lithium and investments exceeding $1 billion in Chile signal a long-term bet on EV battery metals. While current lithium prices are depressed due to supply gluts, demand forecasts remain optimistic heading into the next decade.

  • EU Adds 13 Global Projects to Strategic List Under Critical Raw Materials Act

    EU Adds 13 Global Projects to Strategic List Under Critical Raw Materials Act

    The European Commission has expanded its list of strategic initiatives under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) by designating 13 new international projects aimed at diversifying and securing Europe’s long-term supply of essential raw materials. The newly added projects—located in Canada, Greenland, the UK, Norway, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Ukraine, Brazil, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, South Africa, and New Caledonia—complement the 47 strategic projects within the EU announced in March, bringing the total to 60 priority projects.

    The Commission’s focus lies heavily on critical battery materials, with 10 of the new projects targeting lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite. Two others center on rare earth elements (REEs), including Frontier Rare Earths’ Zandkopsdrift project in South Africa and Mkango Resources’ Songwe Hill project in Malawi, which will supply key REEs like neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium.

    Mkango’s Songwe Hill is paired with its Pulawy separation plant in Poland, forming a vertically integrated supply chain now backed by the EU. Together, the operations will produce 1,953 tonnes/year of Nd/Pr oxides and 56 tonnes/year of Dy/Tb oxides in the first five years of full production, with both projects enjoying coordinated EU-level support.

    In Zambia, Kobaloni Energy received strategic status for its cobalt refinery project—Africa’s first—viewed as critical for establishing a secure and traceable battery-grade cobalt supply. CEO Johnny Velloza described the EU endorsement as a major milestone toward accelerating development.

    GreenRoc Strategic Materials’ Amitsoq graphite project in Greenland also gained strategic designation, becoming the first and only such project in the country. The EU’s Commissioner for Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné, is expected to visit the site this year, underlining its growing strategic weight.

    The 13 new international projects are estimated to require a total of €5.5 billion in capital investment, with the Commission committing to deeper cooperation with host nations—particularly those with existing raw materials partnerships.

    The CRMA, which came into force in May 2024, provides a legislative backbone for the EU’s ambition to reduce critical material dependencies and accelerate projects essential to the green and digital transitions.

  • U.S. and Ukraine Near Landmark Deal on Mineral Access and Reconstruction Fund

    U.S. and Ukraine Near Landmark Deal on Mineral Access and Reconstruction Fund

    The United States and Ukraine are poised to finalize a landmark strategic agreement that would grant Washington preferential access to future Ukrainian mineral and energy projects in exchange for continued military aid and investment, according to multiple media reports.

    A draft of the agreement, obtained by Reuters, outlines the creation of a joint U.S.-Ukrainian reconstruction fund. This fund would receive 50% of profits and royalties from newly issued resource permits. While the U.S. will not directly own Ukrainian assets or infrastructure, the deal secures American or U.S.-designated entities first-in-line access to new mineral and energy development licenses.

    The proposed agreement exempts existing contracts and drops earlier provisions that would have allowed U.S. influence over Ukraine’s gas infrastructure.

    Bloomberg reported that the deal covers a wide range of critical resources including graphite, aluminum, oil, and natural gas. With Ukraine holding an estimated $15 trillion in mineral reserves—among the largest in Europe—the agreement positions the country as a key supplier of strategic raw materials.

    Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal described the plan as a “strategic investment partnership” that will help rebuild Ukraine and secure its long-term development. Crucially, only future U.S. military aid will be counted as contributions to the fund—previous military support, amounting to tens of billions of dollars, will not be monetized under this framework.

    The deal requires ratification by Ukraine’s parliament. Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is currently in Washington to finalize negotiations.

    The agreement aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump’s broader policy goals, including securing critical resources and promoting a negotiated ceasefire with Russia. Although peace talks remain stalled, recent backchannel diplomacy—including a private meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky at the Vatican—suggests renewed communication.

  • EU Grants $36 Million to Advance Cinovec Lithium Project in Czech Republic

    EU Grants $36 Million to Advance Cinovec Lithium Project in Czech Republic

    The European Union has approved a $36 million grant to support the development of the Cinovec lithium project in the Czech Republic, marking a significant step in the bloc’s push to secure domestic supplies of critical raw materials.

    The funding, sourced from the EU’s Just Transition Fund, will be administered by the Czech Ministry of Environment and is conditional on the submission and approval of the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) by the end of 2025.

    European Metals Holdings (EMH), which holds a majority stake in the project, stated that the grant will accelerate key stages of development and may enable increased lithium output through improved economies of scale. EMH Executive Chairman Keith Coughlan noted that the funding would allow the company to “fast-track a number of critical path items” on the road to construction.

    Located in the Krusné Hory Mountains near the German border, Cinovec is the largest known hard rock lithium deposit in the EU. The project was designated as a Strategic Project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act in March, and has also been recognized as a Strategic Deposit by the Czech government—two distinctions that are expected to streamline the permitting process and attract further institutional support.

    EMH has engaged engineering firm DRA Global Limited to complete a definitive feasibility study by the end of 2025. If environmental approval is secured, construction permits could follow within two years.

    In its latest financial update, EMH reported a cash balance of A$4.3 million and no debt as of the end of the first quarter. With Cinovec central to Europe’s ambitions for EV battery production and renewable energy storage, the EU’s financial backing is seen as a strategic investment in securing long-term raw material independence.

  • EU Opens Industry Consultation on Critical Raw Materials Cooperation Amid Supply Chain Pressures

    EU Opens Industry Consultation on Critical Raw Materials Cooperation Amid Supply Chain Pressures

    As the European Union works to shore up the security and sustainability of its raw material supply chains, European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera has launched a public consultation aimed at promoting cooperation among industry players under EU competition rules.

    The move reflects Ribera’s dual mandate as Commissioner for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition: guiding the bloc’s competition policy through 2029 while co-leading the Clean Industrial Deal, a pillar of the EU’s green and industrial transformation. According to her 2024 Mission Letter, Ribera must “modernise the EU’s competition policy” to enable innovation, resilience, and sustainability in an era marked by geopolitical tensions and unfair subsidy-driven competition.

    Announcing the consultation, Ribera invited stakeholders in extraction, processing, and recycling to identify barriers and opportunities for collaboration across the raw materials value chain. “Together, we can build sustainable supply chains and transform challenges into opportunities for prosperity, innovation and resilience,” she stated.

    The consultation comes as companies struggle to navigate legal uncertainty around cooperation. While the EU’s 2023 Horizontal Guidelines offer some room for sustainability agreements, they caution that even modest cooperation—such as setting a joint purchase price for recyclable phones—can breach antitrust rules. Meanwhile, the 2022 Vertical Guidelines do little to clarify how sustainability considerations might enable cooperation further down the supply chain.

    The legal ambiguity stands in contrast to growing EU policy imperatives. The Draghi Report on European Competitiveness (2024) urges the Commission to ease legal pathways for joint procurement and collaborative production efforts in critical raw materials. Likewise, the Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal communication commits to providing companies with tailored antitrust guidance aligned with EU economic and security priorities.

    While the EU’s 2024 Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) already outlines strategic public-sector projects to diversify sourcing, the CRMA stops short of addressing the private sector’s role in joint action. In March 2025, the Commission selected 25 Strategic Projects across 14 critical materials—including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and tungsten—but implementation rests largely with national governments and non-EU partners.

    Ribera’s new consultation, therefore, fills a key policy gap. The Commission is expected to initially focus on the 14 raw materials prioritized under the CRMA, particularly those essential to sectors like renewables, digital, aerospace and defence. Based on the feedback, the Commission will consider whether to issue new competition guidance—possibly by 2026—clarifying when and how companies may work together to strengthen critical supply chains without violating EU antitrust law.

  • Europe Ramps Up Strategic Moves to Secure Critical Raw Materials for Defense

    Europe Ramps Up Strategic Moves to Secure Critical Raw Materials for Defense

    As Europe faces growing geopolitical instability and mounting supply chain risks, NATO and the European Union have identified a list of critical raw materials (CRMs) vital to the continent’s defense and technological resilience. These materials are essential across all major defense sectors — land, naval, aerospace, and guided weapons — and are heavily used in sensors, communications, and weapons systems.

    According to a recent analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), modern military equipment such as main battle tanks and warships depend on a range of high-risk materials, including copper, germanium, mercury, tantalum, and aluminium. While these resources are integral to advanced capabilities like infrared sights and night-vision systems, Europe remains alarmingly reliant on imports, particularly from China — the world’s top producer of many of these substances.

    The European Union has responded by accelerating domestic strategies aimed at reducing foreign dependence. The Critical Raw Materials Act, passed in 2024, focuses on boosting local extraction, refining, and recycling of key materials. Meanwhile, countries like France, Spain, and Germany are introducing tailored national initiatives. France has authorized industrial stockpiles, Spain is reinforcing supply chain frameworks, and Germany has launched a national raw-materials fund for the defense sector.

    Other European nations, including Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom, are also preparing policies to secure access to these strategic assets, though specific defense-oriented documents are still forthcoming. Collectively, these efforts mark a shift toward greater autonomy and resilience in Europe’s defense supply chains.

  • Estonia Taps AFRY for Phosphate Mining Assessment to Boost Critical Raw Material Supply

    Estonia Taps AFRY for Phosphate Mining Assessment to Boost Critical Raw Material Supply

    The Geological Survey of Estonia has commissioned Swedish-Finnish engineering firm AFRY to conduct a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) and pre-feasibility study (PFS) for a major phosphate ore project in Toolse, Estonia.

    Estonia hosts some of Europe’s largest phosphorite reserves, which are rich in phosphorus—an essential component in fertiliser production. These deposits also contain rare earth elements critical for electronics, renewable energy, and battery technologies. The project aims to strengthen Estonia’s role in supplying key raw materials while reducing dependency on imports.

    AFRY’s assessment will cover economic viability, environmental impacts, and the socio-economic outcomes of phosphate extraction, with a focus on phosphoric acid production. Both surface and underground mining methods will be evaluated, along with the feasibility of a beneficiation plant and full production chain.

    According to Sirli Sipp Kulli, Director of the Geological Survey of Estonia, the project’s success depends on strict sustainability standards and responsible resource use. “Our focus is on long-term benefits to local communities, including job creation and regional development,” she said.

    AFRY’s Janne Tikka added that their holistic approach integrates process technologies with environmental performance to ensure responsible development. The project could significantly support Estonia’s agricultural sector, attract investment, and reinforce its position in the global critical materials supply chain.

  • European Commission Enhances Raw Materials Knowledge Platform

    European Commission Enhances Raw Materials Knowledge Platform

    The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has significantly upgraded the Raw Materials Information System (RMIS), reinforcing its commitment to providing comprehensive data on non-fuel, non-agriculture primary raw materials and secondary raw materials. ​RMIS – Raw Materials Information System+8RMIS – Raw Materials Information System+8RMIS – Raw Materials Information System+8

    RMIS serves as the Commission’s primary knowledge platform, offering in-depth profiles of various raw materials, including lithium, cobalt, and nickel. These profiles deliver critical insights into material properties, applications, supply chains, and sustainability considerations, supporting informed decision-making across industries and policy sectors. ​RMIS – Raw Materials Information System

    In a recent development, the JRC published a report focusing on enhancing the recycling and recovery of critical and strategic raw materials in vehicles. This report addresses the growing demand for raw materials driven by the expansion of electric vehicle production and renewable energy technologies, emphasizing the need for responsible sourcing and recycling practices to mitigate environmental and social impacts. ​OUP Academic+7RMIS – Raw Materials Information System+7RMIS – Raw Materials Information System+7RMIS – Raw Materials Information System

    The RMIS platform also features analyses of value chains and demand forecasts for critical raw materials in strategic sectors such as renewables, e-mobility, energy, ICT, and aerospace & defense. These analyses assist stakeholders in understanding material flows and anticipating future supply and demand dynamics. ​RMIS – Raw Materials Information System

    Furthermore, RMIS supports the European Union’s objectives for strategic autonomy by promoting circularity in critical raw materials. The platform provides data and indicators on material flows, recycling rates, and supply chain dependencies, aiding in the development of policies and strategies to reduce reliance on non-EU sources. ​JRC Publications+9OUP Academic+9RMIS – Raw Materials Information System+9

  • European Commission Throws the Door Wide Open to Mining

    European Commission Throws the Door Wide Open to Mining

    The European Commission has identified 47 strategic projects to help the EU become self-sufficient in critical raw materials. More than half of these involve mining plans, several of which are controversial.

    In its effort to reduce Europe’s reliance on external suppliers—particularly countries like China—the European Commission wants at least 10 percent of critical raw materials used within the EU to be sourced domestically by 2030. Additionally, it aims for 40 percent of these materials to be processed inside Europe, while no more than 15 percent should come from any single non-EU country. To support this goal, the Commission has selected 47 “strategic” projects that will benefit from funding and expedited permits. Over half focus on extracting raw materials from the ground, ranging from Norway to Sweden, Germany, and Spain.

    “It’s crucial for Europe’s independence to mine more of its own lithium, nickel, and other metals,” a European Commission Vice President explains. “We can’t keep relying on third parties for such vital resources.” Some of the proposed mines have already stirred controversy—for example, certain lithium mining projects—due to concerns over environmental impact, water usage, and potential harm to local communities. Nevertheless, the Commission views these initiatives as essential for the EU’s green transition and for manufacturing batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines.

    Two Billion Euros for Drilling and Digging

    Under the EU’s plan, two billion euros from the Recovery and Resilience Facility will be allocated to mining initiatives. This includes both developing new mines and expanding or modernizing existing sites. One example is the proposed development of Europe’s largest lithium deposit in the Czech Republic, along with expansions of nickel and cobalt mines in Finland. The Commission also wants to promote the recycling of batteries, electronics, and other products so that precious metals can be recovered and reused. Additionally, the plan involves building strategic stockpiles of critical raw materials, similar to how the EU manages its gas reserves.

    Despite these efforts, experts caution that the EU’s aspirations for raw materials may be overly ambitious. “We’re not going to be completely self-sufficient,” says one raw materials analyst. “Demand for these metals is skyrocketing because of the energy transition and digitalization, so we won’t be able to extract enough on our own.” According to the analyst, the best strategy is to diversify supply chains and forge stable partnerships with countries such as Australia, Canada, and Chile—though this will require making Europe a more appealing trade partner, especially since China has been heavily investing in those regions.

    The Commission acknowledges that the new raw materials plan is not a cure-all. “Still,” says a spokesperson, “it’s a critical step toward reducing our dependence on a single supplier.”