MINEX Forum

Tag: European Union

  • Serbia Launches Consultation on New Mining Law to Align with EU Standards

    Serbia Launches Consultation on New Mining Law to Align with EU Standards

    Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy has launched a public consultation on a new law on mining and geological exploration aimed at modernizing the country’s resource management framework and aligning it with European Union standards on critical raw materials, sustainable development, and the circular economy.

    According to the ministry’s draft outline, the legislation will be harmonized with the EU Critical Raw Materials Act and the European Green Deal, supporting Serbia’s gradual integration into the EU’s framework for sustainable mining, climate neutrality, and secure mineral supply.

    The move follows the European Commission’s decision earlier this year to include Rio Tinto’s Jadar lithium and boron project in Serbia among the EU’s strategic projects for critical raw materials — the only lithium extraction project on the list.

    The proposed law seeks to establish a modern, transparent, and efficient system for managing Serbia’s mineral and geological resources, strengthening the state’s role as owner and steward of natural assets. It also emphasizes environmental and social responsibility, calling for clearer investor obligations regarding environmental protection, land reclamation, and site remediation.

    In line with EU reporting standards, Serbia intends to adopt the Pan-European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee (PERC) framework, the UN Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC), and the Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS). The law will also mandate the application of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles throughout all stages of exploration and mining.

    Other key elements include:

    • Improving legal certainty in exploration and mining rights, with stricter oversight and consistent application of sustainability standards.

    • Defining and protecting strategic mineral deposits, ensuring they are incorporated into Serbia’s spatial and development plans.

    • Digitalizing permitting procedures through a unified online system for electronic applications and public access to data on exploration and mining areas.

    The ministry said the reform aims to ensure a gradual alignment with the EU’s green and digital transition goals while fostering investor confidence and transparency.

    The public consultation will remain open until November 11, allowing citizens, organizations, and industry representatives to submit comments and proposals on the draft framework.

  • EU Sounds Alarm Over China’s Rare Earth Export Controls, Prepares New ReSourceEU Plan

    EU Sounds Alarm Over China’s Rare Earth Export Controls, Prepares New ReSourceEU Plan

    Brussels and Washington have been put on high alert following China’s announcement of new restrictions on rare earth exports and related technologies — a move that threatens to disrupt the global supply of critical raw materials essential for clean energy and advanced industries. Although a recent tariff deal between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping reportedly delayed the implementation of those restrictions by a year, European leaders are bracing for potential economic shockwaves.

    Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue on October 25, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the EU “is ready to use all of the instruments in our toolbox to respond if needed.” The Commission’s immediate priority remains finding “solutions with our Chinese counterparts,” she said, but von der Leyen made clear that Brussels will not hesitate to take coercive countermeasures if Europe’s industrial security is threatened.

    Von der Leyen compared Beijing’s export restrictions to Moscow’s former energy leverage, describing China’s dominance in rare earth supply chains as a “significant risk” and a “threat to the stability of global industries.” More than 90% of Europe’s consumption of rare earth magnets — critical for sectors from automotive and defense to AI and aerospace — comes from China.

    To defend against possible coercion, the EU may invoke its so-called anti-coercion instrument, dubbed the European “bazooka,” which came into force in December 2023 but has yet to be used. The mechanism would allow Brussels to impose retaliatory tariffs, restrict trade in services and intellectual property, and limit access to European investment and procurement markets in response to deliberate economic pressure from foreign powers.

    At the same time, the European Commission is finalizing a new initiative — ReSourceEU — modeled on the 2022 RePowerEU energy plan. Its goal is to secure stable access to critical raw materials in the short, medium, and long term by boosting recycling, promoting collective purchasing, creating strategic reserves, and developing new partnerships with resource-rich countries including Ukraine, Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Chile, and Greenland.

    Just a day earlier, the EU signed an enhanced partnership agreement with Uzbekistan, expanding cooperation on resource security and trade.

    Meanwhile, European Council President Antonio Costa raised the issue directly with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a bilateral meeting at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur. Costa stressed “the importance of constructive and stable relations with China” while expressing “strong concern” over Beijing’s export controls. He urged China to “restore smooth, reliable, and predictable supply chains as soon as possible.”

    The escalating tensions underscore Europe’s growing vulnerability in the global competition for raw materials — and the delicate balancing act Brussels must perform between economic pragmatism and strategic autonomy.

  • Protests, Politics, and Lithium: Serbia’s Unrest Tests the EU’s Democratic Credibility

    Protests, Politics, and Lithium: Serbia’s Unrest Tests the EU’s Democratic Credibility

    As student-led pro-democracy protests sweep across Serbia, tensions between citizens and Brussels are deepening, exposing the European Union’s struggle to balance its democratic principles with its strategic green industrial ambitions.

    The unrest, sparked by last year’s Novi Sad tragedy in which a newly built railway canopy collapsed and killed 16 people, has evolved into a nationwide movement demanding transparency and reform. But after nearly a year of demonstrations, violence erupted again this week — a shooting and arson attack outside the Serbian parliament left one person injured and further inflamed an already volatile political climate.

    President Aleksandar Vučić has responded to growing dissent with increasingly aggressive rhetoric. Visiting a vandalised party office in August, he pledged to “act faster, stronger,” portraying the protesters as part of a campaign of “terror.”

    Meanwhile, frustration with the EU is reaching historic levels. Serbia has been an EU candidate since 2012, but progress toward membership has stalled amid concerns about democratic backsliding, media repression, and ties with Russia and China. Despite these issues, Brussels continues to provide around €1.8 billion in annual funding through grants and pre-accession support.

    The European Parliament recently passed a resolution condemning “state repression and political polarisation,” while Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos described the violence as “deeply concerning.” But for many Serbs, such statements ring hollow. Public confidence in the EU has plummeted from 64% in 2020 to just 33% in 2025 — the lowest in the Western Balkans.

    Analysts suggest that part of this disillusionment stems from the controversial Jadar Valley lithium mine, a cornerstone of the EU’s green transition strategy. Developed by Rio Tinto, the mine is projected to meet up to 90% of Europe’s lithium needs by 2028, supporting the bloc’s electric vehicle and renewable energy ambitions. Yet 63% of Serbs oppose the project due to environmental and agricultural risks, seeing it as a symbol of EU-backed exploitation rather than partnership.

    Critics like University College London professor Eric Gordy argue that “the EU knows the project cannot succeed under a truly democratic Serbian government,” given the public’s strong opposition. The mine’s use of toxic sulphuric acid, in one of Serbia’s key farming regions, has only heightened fears.

    Srdjan Majstorović of the Centre for European Policy in Belgrade warns that the EU’s hesitancy to confront Vučić’s increasingly authoritarian government risks alienating a generation of young Serbs who once saw Europe as a model of democracy. “The long-term viability of European interests in Serbia,” he said, “depends on democratic governance, not transactional politics.”

    Without a change in tone, he added, the EU may soon face the sentiment voiced in a popular Serbian song: “Where were you when I was nobody… how can I trust you now?”

  • EU to Establish Critical Raw Materials Center for Joint Purchasing and Stockpiling Amid Rising Supply Risks

    EU to Establish Critical Raw Materials Center for Joint Purchasing and Stockpiling Amid Rising Supply Risks

    The European Union will set up a Critical Raw Materials Center to coordinate the joint purchasing and stockpiling of key minerals vital to industries such as defense, automotive manufacturing, and clean energy, under a new 2026 work plan unveiled by the European Commission on Tuesday.

    The initiative, described as part of Europe’s quest for “industrial sovereignty,” seeks to safeguard supplies of critical minerals and metals amid intensifying global competition and geopolitical uncertainty.

    “Our regional and global order is being redrawn. And Europe must fight for its place in a world where some major powers are either ambivalent or hostile to us,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in an address to the European Parliament.

    The planned Critical Raw Materials Center will monitor market flows, coordinate collective EU purchases, and maintain strategic reserves of essential resources — including rare earths, lithium, cobalt, and nickel — ensuring supply stability for strategic industries.

    The plan follows China’s announcement earlier this month of expanded export controls on rare-earth magnets and raw materials, citing national security concerns. Those restrictions have triggered alarm across global supply chains and prompted urgent discussions between EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič and his Chinese counterpart to seek a path forward.

    The move also builds on the EU’s 2023 Critical Raw Materials Act, which laid the foundation for diversifying mineral imports away from China and expanding domestic extraction, refining, and recycling capacity.

    Von der Leyen said the bloc must ensure autonomy not only in raw materials but also in “critical technologies that will shape the economy of tomorrow”, citing batteries, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced materials.

    As part of the broader 2026 European Work Plan, the Commission outlined six strategic pillars:

    Sustainable prosperity and competitiveness

    Defense and security

    Social model and innovation

    Quality of life

    Democracy and rule of law

    Global engagement

    Other measures include a new “European Product Act”, updates to public procurement rules, taxation and energy deregulation, and a European anti-corruption initiative. A new action plan against cyberbullying will also be introduced.

    In parallel, the EU announced plans to withdraw 25 stalled legislative proposals in 2026 to reduce bureaucratic burdens and respond to business pressure for faster, more flexible regulatory frameworks.

    Context: China’s Dominance and Europe’s Strategic Response
    China currently controls the majority of global refining capacity for rare earths and other critical minerals. The new export restrictions — and the risk of further escalation — have pushed Europe to accelerate diversification efforts through partnerships with countries such as Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia.

    By pooling resources and centralizing strategic oversight, Brussels hopes to shield European industries from supply shocks while strengthening its negotiating position in a more fragmented global economy.

  • China Tightens Grip on Tajikistan’s Antimony Industry

    China Tightens Grip on Tajikistan’s Antimony Industry

    In Tajikistan’s mountainous heartland, the Soviet-era Saritag antimony mine stands testament to China’s growing influence in Central Asia. Run by the joint venture Talco Gold, a collaboration between Tajik and Chinese companies, the mine produces over 5,000 tonnes of antimony concentrate daily, crucial for many industrial applications. The ore is crushed, ground in large drums, and then separated from the metal using chemical reagents before being dried and bagged as 30% pure antimony. This large-scale operation was made possible by a significant Chinese investment in 2022, which is now being followed by the construction of a new purification plant.

    Pictures of Tajikistan’s long-time President Emomali Rakhmon coexist with portraits of Chinese leader Xi Jinping on posters juxtaposing the country’s past with its present economic reality. While remnants of the Soviet era remain, China has overtaken Russia as the dominant power in the region’s crucial mining sector.

    The full potential of the mine is yet to be unlocked. China’s ambitious $359 million project aims to build a state-of-the-art purification plant on the site, allowing for even greater control over the antimony production chain.

    The Chinese investment, pouring in, signals a strategic move to secure access to vital resources and cement political ties. While offering much-needed economic boost to Tajikistan, it raises concerns about resource dependence and potential environmental consequences.

    This narrative paints a picture of delicate balance: economic prosperity coupled with increasing reliance on a single partner, leaving Tajikistan to navigate the complex landscape of China’s expanding geopolitical footprint in Central Asia.

  • Von der Leyen Calls for Removal of Barriers to AI and Lithium Projects in Push for EU Competitiveness

    Von der Leyen Calls for Removal of Barriers to AI and Lithium Projects in Push for EU Competitiveness

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged the removal of obstacles hindering the growth of key sectors such as artificial intelligence start-ups and lithium processing, while also calling for stronger infrastructure and trade partnerships to boost the EU’s competitiveness.

    Speaking in Brussels at a high-level conference marking one year since the Draghi Report, von der Leyen said Europe must act urgently to close the investment gap with the United States and China. The report estimated the EU needs an additional €800 billion annually, more than 4% of its GDP, to stay competitive.

    Von der Leyen highlighted the need to strengthen the EU’s single market, noting that internal barriers currently equate to tariffs of 45% on goods and 110% on services. “An AI start-up from Portugal or Romania should be able to grow without problems across our continent, and currently this is often not the case,” she said.

    She also pointed to the importance of securing critical raw materials, citing lithium processing in Portugal as an example of initiatives that need both financial support and timely licensing. On energy, she pledged further investment in interconnections, including the Bay of Biscay project, which will double capacity between France and Spain. She announced plans for a “network package” and an “energy motorways initiative” to address eight key bottlenecks in European energy infrastructure.

    In terms of global partnerships, von der Leyen underscored the EU’s distinctive approach to resource projects, pointing to the Lobito corridor linking Angola’s copper belt as a strategic initiative. “Other powers are only interested in extraction, [but] we build local processing industries and value chains because that is how we strengthen our own security,” she said.

    She also expressed determination to secure trade agreements, including with India by year-end, as well as advancing negotiations with South Africa, Malaysia, and the UAE.

    Acknowledging the EU’s slow progress on Draghi’s recommendations — only 11.2% have been fully implemented — von der Leyen stressed the need for urgency. She also reiterated the importance of greater European independence in defence, while cautioning that such efforts “will not happen overnight.”

  • Boliden Warns of Investment Impact from Finnish Mining Tax Proposal

    Boliden Warns of Investment Impact from Finnish Mining Tax Proposal

    Boliden, the Swedish mining giant, has issued a stark warning to the Finnish government over its proposed tax reforms, which it claims will have far-reaching consequences for the EU’s critical metal supplies. The company, which owns the Kevitsa copper and nickel mine in Finland, estimates that the proposed tax hike will result in a 20-30 million euro annual increase in costs, the bulk of which is due to a quadrupling of the recently introduced Finnish mining tax.

    In a strongly worded submission to the Finnish government, Boliden argues that the proposed tax reforms are “inadequately prepared” and lack proper impact assessments, which could lead to “serious consequences” for the investment climate in Finland. The company also notes that the current proposals should be withdrawn in their entirety.

    The proposed tax hike has sparked concerns among EU policymakers, as both copper and nickel, as well as cobalt and PGMs (platinum group metals), are designated as strategic and/or critical metals by the EU. The Kevitsa mine is one of the largest producers of these metals in the EU, and any disruption to its operations could have significant implications for the bloc’s raw material supplies.

    “We understand the need for a balanced tax system, but this proposal is unacceptable,” said a Boliden spokesperson. “The increased tax burden will not only harm our business but also threaten the EU’s critical metal supplies. We urge the Finnish government to reconsider its proposal and engage in a more inclusive and evidence-based decision-making process.”

    The Finnish government is expected to make a final decision on the tax reforms in the coming weeks.

  • Greenland Approves 30-Year Molybdenum Mining Project to Supply 25% of EU Demand

    Greenland Approves 30-Year Molybdenum Mining Project to Supply 25% of EU Demand

    Greenland has granted a 30-year permit to Toronto-listed Greenland Resources for the development of the Malmbjerg molybdenum mine, marking a major step forward for EU-backed efforts to secure critical raw materials. The project, located in eastern Greenland, is expected to produce an average of 32.8 million pounds of concentrated molybdenum annually—enough to meet around a quarter of Europe’s demand for the metal.

    Molybdenum is used in aerospace, clean energy, and defense due to its strength and resistance to heat and corrosion. With China controlling around 40% of global molybdenum production and recently tightening export controls in response to U.S. tariffs, the project carries geopolitical significance.

    The Malmbjerg mine is backed by the European Raw Materials Alliance and has already secured supply agreements with major European firms, including Finland’s Outokumpu and Italy’s Cogne Acciai Speciali.

    Greenland’s mining sector is seeing increased momentum. Just last month, the country issued another exploitation licence to a Danish-French consortium, and the EU included a graphite project in Greenland among 13 new strategic initiatives aimed at bolstering mineral supply.

    Though development in Greenland has historically been slowed by regulatory hurdles and limited financing, interest from both the U.S. and EU is accelerating. The U.S. Export-Import Bank recently confirmed that a Greenland-based rare earth mine met the initial criteria for a $120 million loan.

  • Uzbekistan and EU Discuss Deeper Economic Cooperation Under Global Gateway Strategy

    Uzbekistan and EU Discuss Deeper Economic Cooperation Under Global Gateway Strategy

    The Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan hosted a high-level meeting with a European Commission delegation led by Pēteris Ustubs, Director for International Partnerships for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific. The talks focused on advancing joint initiatives and reinforcing bilateral cooperation under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy for 2017–2027, Trend reports.

    Key areas of discussion included joint projects in digital transformation, transport and logistics, and green energy development in Uzbekistan. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic collaboration through strategic, sustainable investments.

    The meeting also addressed logistical and organizational preparations for two major upcoming events: the Third European Union – Central Asia Economic Forum and the Tashkent International Investment Forum. These forums, to be hosted in Uzbekistan later this year, will gather participants from countries along the Trans-Caspian Corridor and aim to boost regional economic integration and development.

  • 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.