MINEX Forum

Tag: European Commission

  • EU Awaits Clarification on Trump’s Proposed Metals Tariffs Before Responding

    EU Awaits Clarification on Trump’s Proposed Metals Tariffs Before Responding

    The European Commission announced on Monday that it will take action to protect EU interests following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration of new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. However, the EU will wait for official clarification before responding.

    Trump’s statement, made on Sunday, signals a significant escalation in trade tensions. The Commission emphasized that it had not yet received formal notification of the tariffs and would not react based on broad announcements. In a statement, the EU reiterated that it sees “no justification” for such tariffs and will take necessary measures to safeguard European businesses, workers, and consumers.

    If confirmed, these tariffs would mirror Trump’s 2018 trade policies, which saw 25% duties on steel and 10% on aluminum, impacting €6.4 billion ($6.6 billion) worth of EU exports. The EU previously retaliated with tariffs on U.S. goods, but a suspension was negotiated under President Joe Biden.

    A key concern for European steel producers is that U.S. import restrictions could redirect 15 million tons of steel originally destined for the U.S. into the EU market, potentially destabilizing the industry. One EU diplomat indicated that if Trump’s policies mirror his first term, the EU’s response is likely to be similar as well.

  • Sixteen Finnish Projects Apply for EU Strategic Status Under Critical Raw Materials Act

    Sixteen Finnish Projects Apply for EU Strategic Status Under Critical Raw Materials Act

    Sixteen projects in Finland have applied for strategic project status under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act, aiming to strengthen Europe’s raw material production and reduce external dependencies. The European Commission will review the applications and decide on the strategic designation by March 2025.

    On January 23, 2025, the Finnish Government confirmed that it would not exercise its national right to object to any of the applications. While the European Commission consults with Member States before making its final decision, the Finnish authorities have chosen to support all submitted projects.

    The Critical Raw Materials Act is a key component of the EU’s strategy to secure essential resources for industries such as renewable energy, battery production, and advanced technologies. Strategic project status grants selected projects regulatory advantages, faster permitting, and potential financial support to accelerate development.

    Due to confidentiality rules under the Act on the Openness of Government Activities, specific details about the applicants remain undisclosed during the evaluation process. However, the final list of approved strategic projects is expected to be published following the Commission’s decision in March.

  • DTEK Energy Introduces New Coal Longwalls to Support Thermal Power Stations

    DTEK Energy Introduces New Coal Longwalls to Support Thermal Power Stations

    DTEK Energy’s coal mining enterprises continue to work on meeting the needs of thermal power plants, especially during the peak of the heating season.

    In January, DTEK Energy put two new coal faces into operation, the first of 2025, the company reported.

    “We must not only think about this heating season but also prepare for the summer peaks in demand and the next winter. We are working as a team—energy specialists, miners, and engineers. We are now introducing coal faces to ensure a stable supply of resources for our thermal power plants,” said DTEK Energy’s CEO, Oleksandr Fomenko.

    In 2024, the company’s investment in Ukrainian coal mining amounted to UAH 7.5 billion. These funds were directed towards the development and repair of major mine workings, equipping coal faces, providing mines with tunnelling equipment, underground mine transport, and projects to support production capacities.

    Previously, it was reported that DTEK would receive €62.8 million from the European Commission and $46.1 million from the US government.

    DTEK Energy ensures a closed cycle of electricity production from coal. As of January 2022, the company’s installed capacity in thermal generation was 13.3 GW. The company has established a full production cycle: coal mining and enrichment, engineering, and maintenance of mining equipment. It is part of the DTEK group, owned by Rinat Akhmetov. Currently, a large part of DTEK group’s thermal generation capacities have been destroyed due to Russian attacks.

  • European Metals Industry Calls for Urgent Action Plan to Safeguard Strategic Sector

    European Metals Industry Calls for Urgent Action Plan to Safeguard Strategic Sector

    The European non-ferrous metals industry has issued an urgent call for a comprehensive Metals Action Plan to secure the sector’s future and enable Europe’s green and digital transitions.

    In a position paper released this week, industry association Eurometaux outlined key priorities for policymakers to address, warning that Europe’s capacity to produce critical metals is diminishing at an alarming rate. Since 2020, twenty aluminium, silicon and zinc facilities have closed across the continent.

    “Without non-ferrous metals made in Europe, we will not have the strategic autonomy needed for renewable energy, digitalisation and defence,” said a Eurometaux spokesperson. “Urgent action is required to rebuild our industry’s competitiveness.”

    The association is calling for:

    • Unburdened market access for European metals
    • An energy policy providing affordable, clean power
    • Measures to boost global competitiveness and support transformation
    • Secure access to raw materials from primary and secondary sources
    • A trade policy safeguarding against unfair practices
    • Social policies to maintain high-quality industrial jobs

    Eurometaux states that 10 new mines, 15 new processing facilities and 15 new recycling plants for non-ferrous metals are needed by 2030 to meet Critical Raw Materials Act objectives. The group also emphasises the need for 112 TWh of additional affordable, decarbonised electricity by 2030.

    With the European Commission expected to launch a Metals Action Plan in the coming months, industry leaders stress that the time for decisive policy action is now. They warn that without intervention, Europe risks losing its metals industrial base and becoming dangerously reliant on imports for materials critical to economic and national security.

  • European Commission Approves €790 Million Aid for Closure of Romanian Coal Mines

    European Commission Approves €790 Million Aid for Closure of Romanian Coal Mines

    The European Commission has approved a Romanian state aid measure worth €790 million (approximately RON 3.9 billion) to address the exceptional costs associated with the closure of four uncompetitive coal mines in the Jiu Valley—Lonea, Lupeni, Livezeni, and Vulcan. This decision aligns with the European Union’s state aid rules and supports Romania’s efforts to phase out coal production by 2032, in accordance with the National Recovery and Resilience Planand the Territorial Plan for a Just Transition.

    The beneficiary of this measure is Societatea Complexul Energetic Valea Jiului S.A., the operator of the four mines and the Paroșeni power plant. The allocated funds will cover social costs for workers affected by the mine closures, as well as safety and environmental rehabilitation measures. This includes securing mine shafts, repairing environmental damage, and reclaiming land for future use.

    The aid will be allocated for eligible costs incurred between October 1, 2023, and December 31, 2032. To ensure transparency and compliance, an independent consultant will be appointed to monitor coal extraction, ensuring it is limited to public safety needs, such as preventing spontaneous combustion. Annual reports will be provided to maintain oversight.

    “This measure will help Romania carry out the necessary safety and rehabilitation work to facilitate mine closures while mitigating the social impact of the transition. It ensures that no one is left behind in the green transition,” said European Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager.

    The European Commission evaluated the measure under Article 4 of Council Decision 2010/787/EU, determining that the aid strictly covers the exceptional costs arising from the mine closures, with no link to current production. Based on these findings, the Commission deemed the measure compatible with EU internal market rules.

  • Romania Secures EUR 790 Million to Close Coal Mines in Jiu Valley

    Romania Secures EUR 790 Million to Close Coal Mines in Jiu Valley

    Romania has received EUR 790 million from the European Union to support the closure of four uncompetitive coal mines in the Jiu Valley, the country’s primary coal region. The European Commission approved the funding under EU state aid rules, ensuring it covers exceptional social and safety costs tied to the coal phaseout.

    The four mines—Lonea, Lupeni, Livezeni, and Vulcan—along with the Paroșeni power plant, are operated by Societatea Complexul Energetic Valea Jiului S.A. The financial package will support workers displaced by the closures and fund essential safety measures, including mine shaft security, environmental remediation, and land recultivation.

    Jiu Valley is part of the EU’s Coal Regions in Transition Initiative, launched in 2017. This funding aligns with Romania’s pledge to phase out coal by 2032 as per its National Recovery and Resilience Plan. However, recent analyses by Transelectrica, the national electricity transmission operator, suggest coal may vanish from Romania’s energy mix as early as 2026.

    The allocated funds will cover eligible costs from October 1, 2023, to December 31, 2032, and an independent consultant will ensure compliance, including limiting coal extraction to public safety needs. Romania has also committed to annual reporting to maintain transparency in the transition process.

  • SMR Industrial Alliance Sets 2024 Work Plan and Forms Eight Working Groups

    SMR Industrial Alliance Sets 2024 Work Plan and Forms Eight Working Groups

    The SMR Industrial Alliance used their General Assembly last week to define a work plan for the rest of 2024, establishing eight working groups to deliver on their objectives. The SMR alliance, a collection of public and private actors with European Commission backing, aims to develop a European ecosystem for small nuclear modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced atomic modular reactors (AMRs).

    These next-generation reactors have a power output of between 200 and 300 megawatts. They can be used for various applications, from generating electricity or heat for industrial or community applications to replacing coal-fired power plants. The alliance hopes the first projects will operate in the first half of the 2030s – maybe earlier – allowing the technology to contribute towards reducing Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions. These deployments would also contribute to the 50 gigawatts (GW) target of additional nuclear capacity by 2050, set by pro-nuclear EU Member States.

    The alliance has 277 members, all based in Europe, divided into various working groups, according to the conclusions of the general assembly, which met on 29 – 30 May. Since the gathering, eight technical working groups (TWG) have now been chaired by European companies. These focus on a range of areas, from supply chains, to research and development (R&D), public commitments, skills, and waste management. The R&D, supply chain, skills, and financing working groups will start working in June. The others will begin their work in October.

    “The next important step is to define a technological roadmap ready for the end of the year,” Andrei Goicea, policy director at Nuclear Europe, European nuclear association and member of the alliance’s steering committee, told Euractiv. Currently, 24 different SMR designs are listed: 14 of which are AMRs and 14 of which are not.

    The main objective is to produce a general action plan for the first quarter of 2025, structured around ten tasks; including objectives to be achieved, activities to be carried out, and products to be delivered. “For the moment, the work to be carried out is not yet completely defined,” NuclearEurope Director General Yves Desbazeille explained.

    At the same time, the chairman of the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP), Bernard Salha, also a member of the alliance’s steering committee, announced that each project selected for support will potentially be able to participate in an important project of common European interest. This mechanism allows participants to bypass some EU State Aid rules. In the meantime, the first meeting of the governing board, made up of EU member states and the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group, will take place in early July, concludes Yves Desbazeille.

  • Poland Ordered to Pay €68 Million in Fines Over Turow Coal Mine

    Poland Ordered to Pay €68 Million in Fines Over Turow Coal Mine

    Poland will have to pay €68 million in EU fines for the continued operation of the Turow coal mine despite court orders to cease operations, according to a ruling by the EU’s lower court on Wednesday, May 29.

    In 2021, the European Commission mandated the closure of the controversial Turow open-cast coal mine, located in the German-Czech-Polish border region, due to concerns that it was endangering Czech groundwater levels. When the Polish government failed to comply, the EU executive began imposing fines of €500,000 per day, deducting the amount from EU funds designated for Poland.

    Although Warsaw and Prague settled the case in February 2022, Poland attempted to retroactively cancel the fines, which had accumulated to €68.5 million, by seeking annulment in the EU’s lower chamber court. However, the court emphasized in a press release that “the removal of the case from the register does not relieve Poland of the obligation to settle the amount payable.”

    Despite the Czechs withdrawing their lawsuit, the court found that fines accrued prior to this could not be annulled to maintain their deterrent effect. The judgement was welcomed in Prague, with Czech news agency CTK quoting Petra Pinter, a lawyer involved in the case, who stated the court “has shown that European law applies equally to all states, and Poland must meet its obligation to pay the sanctions.”

    Germany’s Anna Cavazzini, a Green EU lawmaker from the region, also supported the decision, highlighting Turow’s lack of an environmental impact assessment for continued coal mining, which is planned to run until 2024, as she told public broadcaster mdr.

    Poland may appeal the judgement, potentially escalating the matter to the EU’s highest court of justice. Online platform Money.pl reports that Warsaw has already taken that step.

  • EU to Launch Critical Minerals Initiative for Green Transition

    EU to Launch Critical Minerals Initiative for Green Transition

    The European Commission is poised to issue calls for projects aimed at enhancing the EU’s supply of critical minerals within the coming days, according to a senior official. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to secure essential materials like lithium and copper, which are vital for the EU’s green and digital transformations. The EU Critical Raw Materials Act, which becomes effective on May 23, is at the heart of this effort, ensuring that the EU can independently produce electric vehicles and wind turbines, thereby reducing reliance on China.

    Maros Sefcovic, the Commission Vice-President, announced that the first meeting of the board overseeing the act, comprising EU member representatives, will be convened soon. “Shortly after this meeting, we aim to launch the first call for strategic projects,” Sefcovic stated during the EU Raw Materials Summit in Brussels.

    Projects focused on processing, recycling, or mining that are deemed strategic will benefit from an expedited permitting process, receiving approvals within 15-27 months, significantly faster than the usual timeframe. Sweden’s Eurobattery Minerals AB has already indicated its intention to apply for a strategic project designation for a mine in Finland.

    Additionally, the Commission is planning joint EU purchases of approximately 30 critical materials, leveraging its experience with joint gas purchases. Sefcovic emphasized the need for swift action, although he acknowledged the necessity of garnering support from EU member states, which had been a challenge with gas.

    The existing platform for gas procurement could serve as a model for these mineral purchases, despite the increased complexity of managing multiple materials. This system is expected to enhance the EU’s ability to forecast future demand more accurately. The Commission is also exploring the potential for stockpiling key minerals, drawing inspiration from Japan’s approach to rare earth reserves.

  • EU to Launch Calls for Critical Minerals Projects and Joint Purchases

    EU to Launch Calls for Critical Minerals Projects and Joint Purchases

    The European Commission is set to initiate calls for projects aimed at improving the EU’s supply of critical minerals, with plans to start joint EU purchases similar to its existing gas scheme, announced a senior commissioner on Wednesday. The EU Critical Raw Materials Act, which ensures a stable supply of essential minerals like lithium and copper for the EU’s green and digital transitions, comes into effect on May 23. This act is crucial for the production of electric vehicles and wind turbines, reducing the bloc’s reliance on China.

    Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic mentioned that the EU executive would soon hold the inaugural meeting of a board overseeing the act. “Within days after that… we would like to launch the first call for strategic projects,” Sefcovic stated at the EU Raw Materials Summit in Brussels. Strategic projects in processing, recycling, or mining will benefit from expedited permits within 15-27 months. Eurobattery Minerals AB from Sweden has expressed intentions to apply for a strategic mine in Finland.

    Additionally, Sefcovic revealed that the Commission is drafting plans for joint purchases of around 30 critical materials, leveraging its gas purchase scheme experience. The EU executive aims to facilitate connections between global suppliers and EU buyers, hoping to launch the scheme promptly despite potential hesitations from member states. The existing gas purchase platform could serve as a model, though acquiring diverse critical minerals presents more complexity. The Commission is also exploring stockpiling key minerals, inspired by Japan’s approach to rare earths.