MINEX Forum

Tag: Europe supply chain

  • EIT RawMaterials Invests in Greenland Resources to Boost Europe’s Magnesium Supply and Reduce Dependence on China

    EIT RawMaterials Invests in Greenland Resources to Boost Europe’s Magnesium Supply and Reduce Dependence on China

    EIT RawMaterials GmbH has announced a €0.5 million equity investment in Greenland Resources A/S, a wholly owned subsidiary of Greenland Resources Inc. and developer of the Malmbjerg molybdenum project in central-east Greenland. The initiative aims to accelerate the recovery of magnesium—currently being evaluated as a potential by-product—from both process water and primary ore, strengthening Europe’s resource security amid growing concerns over supply concentration.

    China currently supplies around 95%–97% of Europe’s magnesium imports, posing a major vulnerability for industrial sectors reliant on the metal. Magnesium is a critical alloying element in aluminum production and plays an essential role in lightweight mobility, defence applications, and modern manufacturing.

    Supported by the EU-backed European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), EIT RawMaterials has collaborated with Greenland Resources from the outset to develop sustainable European molybdenum production. The new financing, provided under the Horizon Europe framework, will enable testing and scaling of low-emission technologies to extract magnesium from saline process water generated during molybdenum operations. Additional investment from existing Greenland Resources shareholders will focus on recovering magnesium directly from primary ore.

    Bernd Schäfer, CEO and Managing Director of EIT RawMaterials, emphasized the strategic importance of the effort. “Magnesium is mission-critical for Europe’s competitiveness — from lightweight mobility to defence — and yet the EU depends on China for nearly all its supply,” he said. He noted that the initiative addresses risks to key industries such as aluminum manufacturing, where magnesium is indispensable, and aligns with EU efforts to expand access to critical raw materials while reducing carbon intensity.

    The investment supports the objectives of the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which targets diversification and increased security of critical material supplies by 2030. Magnesium is officially classified as both a critical and strategic raw material, making projects that expand domestic or allied production a clear priority for the EU.

    By advancing technologies to recover magnesium from both process water and ore, the project aims to add new, lower-carbon supply streams to Europe’s raw materials portfolio. It complements the EU’s broader CRMA Strategic Projects and fits within EIT RawMaterials’ mission to mobilize investment and innovation across the raw materials value chain.

    Greenland Resources secured a 30-year exploitation licence for molybdenum and magnesium in June 2025, creating a robust permitting framework for the development pathway that this investment supports.

  • Transforming Raw Materials into Strategic Strength: EIT Raw Materials Advocates for Bold Action in FP10

    Transforming Raw Materials into Strategic Strength: EIT Raw Materials Advocates for Bold Action in FP10

    Berlin, Germany – EIT RawMaterials, a leading knowledge and innovation community, has issued a compelling call for Europe to transform its raw materials sector into a cornerstone of strategic strength. The organisation has outlined key recommendations for the upcoming Framework Programme 10 (FP10), urging the European Union to invest €4 billion to secure its raw materials future.

    The Challenge: Dependency on Imports

    Europe’s heavy reliance on imported critical and strategic raw materials (CRMs and SRMs) poses significant risks to its green and digital transformation goals. With nearly 100% dependence on external sources for key materials like lithium, magnesium, and rare earth elements, the EU is vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions.

    The Solution: Innovation and Resilience

    EIT RawMaterials proposes a multifaceted strategy to reduce dependency and build resilience:

    • Domestic Production: Increase mining to supply 10% of Europe’s CRM needs.
    • Advanced Processing: Expand processing capacity to 40%.
    • Circular Economy: Reclaim 25% of CRMs through recycling.
    • Global Diversification: Limit reliance on single-country sources to 65%.

    Strategic Investments

    To meet these ambitious targets, the organisation recommends focusing on:

    1. Disruptive Technologies: Develop cutting-edge solutions like Direct Lithium Extraction and advanced recycling.
    2. Circular Economy: Scale up industrial symbiosis and recycling initiatives to retain valuable materials.
    3. Public-Private Partnerships: Allocate €1 billion to foster collaboration between industry and academia.
    4. Workforce Development: Train 1.2 million workers by 2030 to address the sector’s growing demands.

    A Sustainable Future

    EIT RawMaterials emphasizes the transformative potential of the raw materials sector, predicting a €2 trillion economic impact and the creation of 32 million jobs by 2030. Their initiatives also align with the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, which sets ambitious targets for mining, processing, and recycling by the end of the decade.

    Leading Innovation

    Since its inception, EIT RawMaterials has mobilized €600 million in funding and unlocked €3.6 billion for research and innovation. Its initiatives have fostered a thriving ecosystem of over 300 partners and 750 alliance members, driving sustainable solutions and workforce development across Europe.

    “The time to act is now,” said a spokesperson from EIT RawMaterials. “With bold investments and strategic collaborations, Europe can secure its industrial competitiveness, lead the global green transition, and build a resilient future.”

  • Kazakhstan: A Strategic Partner for Europe’s Green Transition and Rare Earth Supply Chain

    Kazakhstan: A Strategic Partner for Europe’s Green Transition and Rare Earth Supply Chain

    Kazakhstan’s Minister for Industry and Construction, Kanat Sharlapaev, has highlighted the country’s pivotal role as a supplier of critical raw materials to Europe, positioning Kazakhstan as a strategic partner for the continent’s green transition. Speaking with Euronews on The Big Question, Sharlapaev discussed the growing trend of “friendshoring”, where Europe shifts production to trusted geopolitical allies to secure a reliable supply of essential resources.

    According to the Brookings Institution, China produced around 60% of the world’s rare earth elements as of 2023. The pandemic revealed the risks of dependency on single-region suppliers, and with the shift toward greener technologies, Europe’s need for critical minerals is only increasing. Kazakhstan, which has long supported Europe’s energy stabilityand is Germany’s fourth-largest energy trading partner, could be the solution for Europe to reduce its reliance on China.

    Kazakhstan’s proximity to Europe also lowers shipping costs and emissions compared to sourcing from more distant suppliers in China or South America. The nation is rich in critical minerals, with 17 out of the 30 elements on the EU’s critical raw materials list available within its borders. It holds 20% of the aerospace-grade titanium market, 10% of manganese sulfate, 30% of global beryllium supply, and 17% of rhenium. Additionally, Kazakhstan ranks as the 11th largest copper producer globally.

    Sharlapaev underscored Kazakhstan’s commitment to expanding local processing capabilities to retain more value within the country, fostering job creation and regional economic growth. He explained that Kazakhstan aims to move beyond raw exports by enhancing its value chain. With the mining sector contributing between 12% and 15% of Kazakhstan’s GDP, this strategic focus is expected to further bolster the economy.

    Kazakhstan’s mining workforce is composed of 99% local talent, trained through its own educational institutions, setting it apart from the global trend of expatriate staffing in mining industries. “This strong human capital base enables companies to start operations more efficiently in Kazakhstan,” Sharlapaev noted, reinforcing the country’s appeal as a reliable partner in Europe’s pursuit of green energy goals.