MINEX Forum

Tag: Europe

  • Europe Moves Toward Lithium Independence with New German Refinery for EV Batteries

    Europe Moves Toward Lithium Independence with New German Refinery for EV Batteries

    As European automakers ramp up their pursuit of lithium for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, an Australian company is stepping in with a new refinery in Germany to help meet demand. Vulcan Energy has launched a pilot project at its plant west of Frankfurt to extract lithium from briny underground water near the French border. This lithium will be used by major auto manufacturers including Volkswagen, Renault, and Stellantis.

    In addition to producing lithium, the plant will use excess geothermal heat from water pumped from two kilometers below the Rhine Valley to warm homes in a local community. Francis Wedin, a senior executive at Vulcan, described the project as vital to Europe’s goal of reducing its reliance on foreign sources of critical materials. Currently, Europe’s lithium battery sector is struggling to gain a foothold as regional demand for EVs slows, but Vulcan hopes its plant will bolster Europe’s lithium industry and support the continent’s broader green transition.

    Set to begin commercial production by 2027, Vulcan’s project is partly funded by a 100 million euro ($106 million) subsidy from the German government. The EU, with its 2035 deadline to phase out new combustion engine vehicles, is eager to secure local lithium supplies to reduce dependency on China, a dominant player in global lithium mining and refining.

    Vulcan’s method involves drawing brine from geothermal reservoirs beneath Landau, where it’s processed into lithium hydroxide through electrolysis and crystallization. Notably, this approach has a carbon-neutral footprint and could be more cost-effective than China’s current methods. Vulcan’s Frankfurt facility aims to produce 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually by 2027, enough for approximately 500,000 EV batteries.

    The EU has committed to refining 40% of its critical minerals domestically and has launched 28 lithium extraction or refining projects across the bloc. One competitor, AMG Lithium, opened a refinery in eastern Germany in September, sourcing raw materials from Brazil. Still, clean transport advocates warn that while securing lithium is critical, Europe needs further infrastructure to achieve full battery production independence.

  • Bulgarian President Radev: Metallurgy and Heavy Industry Are Key to Europe’s Economic Future

    Bulgarian President Radev: Metallurgy and Heavy Industry Are Key to Europe’s Economic Future

    Bulgarian President Rumen Radev emphasized the critical role of the metallurgy, mining, and heavy industries in shaping Europe’s economic resilience during the Metallurgist’s Day celebration in Sofia, which he attended under his official patronage. He urged Bulgaria to leverage this opportunity to strengthen its economic position within Europe’s industrial landscape. Reflecting on recent global challenges, including the pandemic, the energy crisis, and the Ukraine conflict, Radev argued that these events revealed Europe’s overreliance on external energy resources and the limitations of a solely green-tech focus, advocating instead for a balanced industrial strategy.

  • EU Faces Challenges in Critical Raw Material Strategy Amid Global Race for Supply Chain Resilience

    EU Faces Challenges in Critical Raw Material Strategy Amid Global Race for Supply Chain Resilience

    While the Brussels Effect has driven strict regulatory standards for Critical and Strategic Raw Materials (CSRM), Europe may risk falling behind other global players in building a resilient supply base. An analysis by the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), a Paris-based think tank, evaluates European de-risking policies in the context of international concerns over reliance on a few key suppliers, particularly China.

    China’s export controls on materials like germanium, gallium, and rare earths underscore the risk of critical dependencies as a geopolitical tool. In response, OECD countries are emphasizing national security, strategic autonomy, and the governance of CRM supplies. The EU and the United States have taken steps to diversify their supply chains. The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), part of the Green Deal, emphasizes sustainability and autonomy, while the US focuses on national security through investments like the Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Japan began addressing CRM dependencies as early as 2010.

    To counterbalance China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the EU and US have increased CRM partnerships since 2021. However, Ifri’s analysis stresses the need for these partnerships to yield immediate, tangible results. Countries in the Middle East are also integrating into CRM value chains, while resource-rich developing nations seek to retain more local value through processing and manufacturing.

    Despite progress, the EU faces financial constraints and public opposition, threatening its strategic CRM goals. According to Ifri, without external financing, Europe risks lagging behind global players such as the US, Japan, and the Middle East in developing a secure CRM base. The race for lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements (REEs), crucial for green energy goals, is reshaping geopolitics and intensifying international competition.

    To meet its target of extracting 10% of annual CRM demand by 2030, the EU must expand its mining and refiningcapabilities. The bloc requires at least ten new mines, 15 processing plants, and 15 recycling facilities by 2030, according to EIT RawMaterials. Public opposition, however, remains a significant obstacle. Sustainable mining expert Peter Tom Jones calls for public education to support modern, eco-friendly mining practices that prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Nordic countries are seen as a model, with Jones stressing the importance of local CRM mining to reduce reliance on less sustainable sources abroad.

    Jones envisions a future where mining is safe, climate-neutral, and engages local communities as stakeholders. He describes a modern mine worker as one who operates high-tech machinery remotely, symbolizing the shift toward automated, climate-conscious mining that reduces traditional environmental impacts.

  • Europe’s Aerospace Industry Faces Titanium Dependency Challenge Amid Sanctions

    Europe’s Aerospace Industry Faces Titanium Dependency Challenge Amid Sanctions

    Fans of Apple’s titanium-cased iPhones need not worry about a material shortage. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested capping exports of titanium in response to Western sanctions, China remains Apple’smain supplier, ensuring that the company will not need to switch back to stainless steel. However, the European aerospace sector faces more significant challenges. VSMPO-AVISMA, the world’s largest titanium producer, supplies a considerable portion of the European market, and while Europe has restricted imports of many Russian metals, titaniumhas remained largely unaffected by these sanctions.

    In February, when Canada imposed sanctions on VSMPO-AVISMA, French President Emmanuel Macronpersonally intervened to secure waivers for Airbus and other aerospace companies, illustrating the deep reliance on Russian titanium. This dependency is difficult to break because titanium is a critical component in aircraft manufacturing due to its strength, light weight, and corrosion resistance.

    Europe’s problem is compounded by the fact that it lacks significant domestic capacity for producing aviation-grade titanium, which requires extremely high purity levels and specialized accreditation from aircraft manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing. As a result, Europe risks replacing its dependence on Russia with a reliance on U.S. titanium suppliers, especially since the U.S. receives nearly 70% of Europe’s titanium scrap.

    Breaking this transatlantic loop is crucial as the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act sets ambitious goals for domestic extraction and recycling by 2030. While Ukraine may offer a potential future supply of titanium, European recycling capabilities must be expanded to meet the short-term demand. Government-level negotiations between Europeand the U.S. are likely needed to reshape the titanium supply chain.

  • Europe’s Mining Waste Regulations Found Lacking, Says NGO Report

    Europe’s Mining Waste Regulations Found Lacking, Says NGO Report

    Despite Europe’s reputation for high environmental and social standards, its regulations on mining waste are outdated and insufficient, according to a legal analysis commissioned by the European NGO Transport & Environment (T&E). As Europe plans to ramp up mining activities to meet the 10% benchmark set by the Critical Raw Materials Act, the NGO assessed the adequacy of current regulations. The analysis, conducted by Netherlands-based law firm Hörchner Advocaten, revealed significant shortcomings in the 2006 EU Extractive Waste Directive (EWD). The report highlights issues such as the lack of mandated safest mining waste technologies, inadequate protection for the environment and communities, unclear responsibilities in case of accidents, and uncertain timelines for mine closures. T&E warns that these gaps could lead to inconsistent application of the directive across member states, increasing the risk of environmental and social harm. The NGO is now calling for an urgent revision of the EWD to address these concerns.

  • Norway Discovers Europe’s Largest Rare Earth Metals Deposit, Boosting Efforts to Reduce China’s Dominance

    Norway Discovers Europe’s Largest Rare Earth Metals Deposit, Boosting Efforts to Reduce China’s Dominance

    Norway has recently announced the discovery of Europe’s largest proven deposit of rare earth metals, a significant development as these 17 elements are essential for a wide range of modern technologies. Despite being termed “rare earth,” these elements are not particularly scarce in the Earth’s crust but are often found in low concentrations, making them difficult to extract and purify.

    According to a CNBC report, this Norwegian deposit is among the few in the world not owned or controlled by China, which currently dominates the global rare earths market. The discovery is seen as a crucial step in Europe’s efforts to reduce its dependence on China for these critical minerals. The demand for rare earth metals is expected to surge in the coming years due to the increasing pace of the clean energy transition.

    Rare earth metals such as Lanthanum, used in batteries and catalytic converters, Cerium, used in polishing compounds and catalytic converters, and Neodymium, known for its powerful magnetic properties, are among those found in the deposit. Other metals include Dysprosium, used in strong magnets and lasers, and Europium, essential for fluorescent lights and color television screens.

    Rare Earths Norway revealed that its Fen Carbonatite Complex in southeastern Norway contains 8.8 million metric tons of total rare earth oxides (TREOs) with a strong potential for economic extraction. Within these TREOs, approximately 1.5 million metric tons are magnet-related rare earths, which are critical for technologies such as electric vehicles and wind turbines. This discovery surpasses a significant rare earths deposit found in Sweden last year.

    Alf Reistad, CEO of Rare Earths Norway, described the discovery at Fen as a “great milestone” for the company and emphasized that there is currently no extraction of rare earth elements in Europe. Meanwhile, China continues to dominate the rare earth metals market, controlling 70 percent of global rare earth ore extraction and 90 percent of ore processing. China’s dominance is attributed to decades of state investment, export controls, cheap labor, and low environmental standards.

    A report from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies highlights that Western countries are now developing strategies to reduce supply chain risks. These strategies include opening new mines and processing plants, advancing recycling technologies, and fostering international collaboration. However, the report notes that it is unlikely that China’s dominance will be significantly reduced before 2030.

     

  • Solvay to Supply Europe with Rare Earth Metals for EVs and Wind Turbines from French Plant

    Solvay to Supply Europe with Rare Earth Metals for EVs and Wind Turbines from French Plant

    Belgian chemicals group Solvay has announced plans to supply Europe with rare earth metals for permanent magnetsused in electric vehicles (EVs) and wind turbines, as part of a strategy to reduce reliance on China. The company plans to commence regular production at its refurbished plant in La Rochelle, France, by early 2025, aiming to meet 30% of Europe’s needs for permanent magnets by 2030. This facility is unique in Europe for its ability to process both light and heavy rare earth materials at an industrial scale. Solvay’s CEO, Philippe Kehren, highlighted the strategic shift toward European production, anticipating a tripling in demand for these materials by 2035. Solvay is in discussions with major European car manufacturers and turbine makers, as well as the French government, to secure support across the entire value chain. This move aligns with new EU regulations that aim to bolster the continent’s self-sufficiency in critical materials, targeting a reduction in dependence on Chinese supplies, which currently cover about 95% of the EU’s rare earth needs. Solvay intends to source 30% of the materials for its La Rochelle plant locally, by recycling end-of-life rare earth metals from motors in Europe.

     

  • Gravitricity to Develop Underground Gravity Energy Storage Projects in Europe

    Gravitricity to Develop Underground Gravity Energy Storage Projects in Europe

    Edinburgh-based company Gravitricity has announced its plans to develop underground gravity energy storage projects for deep mine operators in Slovenia, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Finland. This innovative approach repurposes end-of-life mine shafts, which would otherwise face expensive infilling and decommissioning costs.

    Gravitricity’s energy storage system, known as GraviStore, utilizes heavy weights—up to 12,000 tonnes—suspended in deep shafts by cables attached to winches. During periods of excess electricity, such as on windy days, these weights are winched to the top of the shaft, ready to generate power when needed. The weights can be released in less than a second, with the winches acting as generators to produce electricity either in a quick burst or more gradually, depending on demand.

    The company highlighted that GraviStore offers many advantages similar to pumped storage hydro and lithium-ion batteries, but without the performance degradation that affects batteries over time. This system can operate for decades with consistent efficiency.

    Gravitricity’s current clients include the Velenje coal mine in Slovenia, owned by the government-run Premogovnik Velenje; First Quantum Minerals’ Pyhäsalmi mine in Finland, Europe’s deepest zinc and copper mine; the former Darkov mine in the Czech Republic, managed by the state enterprise DIAMO; and the Geiger Group’s Grube Teutschenthal mine in Germany.

    “Gravity energy storage presents a powerful green opportunity for mine operators, extending the life of mines beyond material extraction,” said Martin Wright, founder and executive chairman of Gravitricity. “This alternative to decommissioning provides economic and employment opportunities in communities facing the decline of traditional jobs. Our engagements with mine operators demonstrate significant interest in our technology, and we are working with both mine owners and public sector organizations to transform these plans into operational realities.”

    Gravitricity has already demonstrated its GraviStore technology with a 250kW above-ground prototype, successfully raising and lowering two 25-tonne weights to generate power and verify the system’s rapid response capabilities. The £1-million, 12-meter-high test rig proved the system can achieve full power in less than a second, making it highly valuable for frequency response and backup power markets, with the flexibility to adjust power output based on demand.

  • Europe’s Green Transition Driving Demand for Critical Raw Materials

    Europe’s Green Transition Driving Demand for Critical Raw Materials

    The surge in demand for raw materials is primarily propelled by Europe’s commitment to transitioning to a green economy, with a focus on achieving climate neutrality. This push towards sustainability has been further fueled by Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, prompting a rapid shift away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources.

    The European Union (EU) established a methodology in 2010 to identify critical raw materials (CRMs), based on supply risk and economic importance. Materials are deemed critical if they face high supply risks and are economically significant. These CRMs, including lithium and rare earth elements (REE), play pivotal roles in various sectors, particularly in green and digital transitions.

    Lithium, for instance, is indispensable for battery production, with demand projected to skyrocket in Europe and globally. Similarly, REE are vital for manufacturing electric motors, wind turbines, and energy-efficient lighting. However, the EU’s heavy reliance on a few supplier countries, notably China, poses significant supply chain vulnerabilities.

    To address these challenges, the EU emphasizes material efficiency, substitution, and circularity. Circular economy strategies, such as recycling and promoting alternatives, are crucial for reducing import dependencies and ensuring a resilient supply chain for CRMs.

  • EIT RawMaterials’ vision for sustainable resource management in Europe’s green evolution

    EIT RawMaterials’ vision for sustainable resource management in Europe’s green evolution

    EIT RawMaterials is actively engaged in collaborating with policymakers and industry stakeholders to drive innovation, shape policies, and develop a roadmap for Europe’s critical materials sector to achieve sustainability goals. As Europe works towards its 2050 climate neutrality objective, ensuring access to critical raw materials becomes crucial for powering key green technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.

    Europe’s heavy reliance on a limited number of countries, including China, for these essential materials poses risks due to dependency on vulnerable and opaque supply chains. EIT RawMaterials, recognized as a leading innovation community in the global raw materials sector, is committed to supporting Europe’s transition to a sustainable economy by ensuring a steady supply of raw materials, promoting circular economy principles, and fostering innovation, education, and entrepreneurship.

    As the manager of the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA), which consists of over 750 European and international partners, EIT RawMaterials is focused on enhancing the sustainable competitiveness of the European raw materials sector across the value chain. ERMA plays a vital role in securing financing to bolster Europe’s competitiveness in the global supply chain.

    Through collaborative efforts with industry partners, ERMA has launched two Action Plans targeting specific market fields. The Rare Earth Magnets and Motors Action Plan, initiated in 2021, has already generated 14 de-risked and bankable projects, expected to meet approximately 20% of Europe’s permanent magnets requirements by 2030. Another recent initiative, “The European Call for Action on Energy Storage and Conversion,” launched in May 2023, aims to bolster Europe’s position in the energy storage and conversion sector.

    This action plan acknowledges the growing significance of energy storage and conversion in light of increasing adoption of green technologies and emphasizes the need for significant quantities of raw materials. It outlines investment requirements to ensure a stable supply chain and focuses on key areas such as materials for solar energy, battery materials, fuel cells, electrolysers, and alternative energy storage and conversion methods.

    The roadmap presents comprehensive strategies covering the entire mineral value chain, from exploration to processing, identifying investment opportunities exceeding €15 billion. This strategic approach could enhance the EU’s self-sufficiency in critical materials by 2030.

    Aligned with EU policy initiatives, the roadmap proposes measures to enhance the competitiveness of the European raw materials sector, including standardization, fit-for-purpose mining standards, and a balanced approach to trade measures.

    A notable aspect of the roadmap is its emphasis on expanding mining operations within Europe while upholding stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. It suggests establishing a European Raw Materials Fund to support projects across all phases, funded through EU and member state policies.

    Innovation is pivotal in transforming the mining industry, and EIT RawMaterials actively supports this through collaborations with industry leaders. The organization backs projects focused on safety improvements, technological advancements, and sustainable solutions, such as recycling initiatives for Li-ion batteries and advancements in battery technology for electric vehicles.

    With the approval of the Critical Raw Materials Act, Europe aims to recycle at least 25% of its annual raw materials consumption domestically. EIT RawMaterials contributes to this goal through projects like ReLieVe and Charamba, focusing on closed-loop industrial processes and efficient waste stream management.

    Addressing challenges related to specific critical raw materials like Vanadium and Gallium, EIT RawMaterials supports projects for their recovery as by-products and innovations to enhance battery technology.

    Overall, EIT RawMaterials plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable practices, innovation, and resilience in Europe’s critical materials sector, contributing to the region’s transition towards a greener and more sustainable future.