MINEX Forum

Website: Europe.com

  • Austrian Court Orders New Environmental Review for Lithium Mining Project

    Austrian Court Orders New Environmental Review for Lithium Mining Project

    An Austrian federal administrative court has overturned a prior decision that waived an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a proposed lithium mining project by Critical Metals. While the court acknowledged that the project falls below the 10-hectare threshold outlined in national law, it ruled that the Austrian regulation does not fully align with European Union legal requirements.

    As a result, the Carinthian government has been instructed to conduct a case-by-case evaluation to determine whether the project could pose environmental risks, even though its size would normally exempt it from further review. The ruling underscores the potential supremacy of EU law over domestic thresholds in matters involving environmental protection.

    The court also granted permission for an appeal to the Administrative Court of Justice, citing the absence of previous case law addressing whether Austria’s current regulations meet EU standards.

    Critical Metals CEO Tony Sage called the lower court’s decision “surprising” and argued it contradicts the EU’s push for greater self-sufficiency in critical minerals. He added that the ruling is not expected to delay the project and expressed confidence that full environmental approval will ultimately be restored.

  • Recycling Firm Unimetals Set to Enter Liquidation Amid Financing Collapse

    Recycling Firm Unimetals Set to Enter Liquidation Amid Financing Collapse

    Unimetals, a major UK recycling company operating dozens of sites nationwide, has filed for liquidation. The firm, headquartered in Stratford-upon-Avon, runs facilities across London, Halesowen, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester, and Devon. The exact timing of the liquidation and the number of jobs at risk have not yet been confirmed.

    A company spokesperson said on Monday that Unimetals had “worked tirelessly” to secure new financing in an effort to meet financial obligations and safeguard its future. This included an accelerated mergers and acquisitions process, conducted alongside advisers and stakeholders, to identify potential buyers or investors.

    However, despite strong interest and attempts to complete a deal, no transaction was reached. Consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal has been appointed to support the next steps in the liquidation process.

    Unimetals acknowledged the distress that the news would cause employees, many of whom joined the company when it acquired Sims Metal’s UK operations in 2024. The firm praised their dedication and resilience, calling them “the backbone of this business.”

    The company said it will now work closely with employees, suppliers, customers, creditors, and regulators to ensure the liquidation proceeds safely and transparently. An urgent effort is underway to establish a clear plan and timeline for the process.

  • UK Unveils Critical Minerals Strategy to Curb Import Dependence and Boost Domestic Lithium Production

    UK Unveils Critical Minerals Strategy to Curb Import Dependence and Boost Domestic Lithium Production

    The UK government has launched a new Critical Minerals Strategy aimed at sharply reducing the country’s dependence on foreign supplies of vital materials used in everything from smartphones and fridges to electric vehicles and wind turbines.

    Announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 22 November, the strategy sets a target for Britain to meet 10% of its critical mineral needs from domestic production and 20% from recycling by 2035. It also includes an ambition to produce at least 50,000 tonnes of lithium in the UK by that date — more than the weight of the Titanic.

    Backed by up to £50 million in new funding, the plan is designed to diversify supply chains and limit the UK’s exposure to geopolitical shocks, such as war or natural disasters. It responds to growing concern that China’s dominance in the sector — controlling about 70% of rare earth mining and 90% of refining — leaves Britain vulnerable as demand for clean energy and advanced technologies surges.

    Domestic demand is projected to rise sharply, with copper use expected to almost double and lithium demand forecast to increase by 1,100% by 2035. To counter this, the UK has set a goal that no more than 60% of its supply of any single critical mineral will come from one country by 2035.

    The government plans to capitalise on existing strengths across the UK, including Europe’s largest lithium deposit in Cornwall, significant tungsten resources, the Clydach nickel refinery in Swansea, and the only Western source of rare earth alloys used in high-performance magnets for wind turbines and F-35 fighter jets. More than 50 critical mineral projects are already based in the UK, and the sector currently contributes £1.79 billion to the economy and directly supports over 50,000 jobs.

    Prime Minister Starmer framed the strategy as central to both economic resilience and national security. “For too long, Britain has been dependent on a handful of overseas suppliers, leaving our economy and national security exposed to global shocks,” he said, adding that the government would “boost domestic production, ramp up recycling, and back British businesses with the investment they need to compete on the international stage.”

    Industry Minister Chris McDonald said the government was “taking the bold action needed to shore up our supply chains” and support new jobs and growth as part of its wider Plan for Change.

    Delivery of the strategy will be supported by up to £50 million in funding to help UK companies scale up extraction, processing, and recycling projects, alongside wider public finance tools such as the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance. In September, the National Wealth Fund committed £31 million to Cornish Lithium to advance the Trelavour Lithium Project and the Cross Lanes Geothermal Lithium Project.

    The government will also seek to cut industrial electricity costs through the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) and streamline permitting for innovative production and recycling projects via the Environment Agency’s priority tracked service. Skills development will be supported through collaboration with Skills England and the Department for Work and Pensions to build a workforce capable of delivering the strategy’s goals.

    The plan is closely tied to the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, with critical minerals identified as a foundational sector underpinning advanced manufacturing, clean energy, defence, and high-tech innovation. Key regions such as the North East of England, Devon and Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to benefit from new investment and jobs, leveraging local geology, industrial capacity and research expertise.

    Industry reactions have broadly welcomed the move. Cornish Lithium CEO Jamie Airnes said the framework would help “accelerate domestic capability, unlock investment, and build strategic partnerships” to deliver lithium at scale. The Critical Minerals Association described the strategy as a “timely step forward” that can secure the UK’s position as a trusted global partner if implemented with intent, while industry figures from Vale Base Metals, Ionic Rare Earths and Hypromag highlighted the UK’s strengths in midstream processing, magnet recycling and rare earth technologies.

    To further bolster resilience, the UK will examine stockpiling options, including through defence procurement, and continue to work with allies via initiatives such as NATO’s Critical Mineral Stockpiling Project. The government also plans to deepen partnerships with resource-rich and like-minded countries, using Britain’s academic, R&D and financial capabilities to expand opportunities for UK businesses at home and abroad.

  • Greenland Resources Secures €500,000 EU-Backed Funding to Advance Magnesium Extraction at Malmbjerg Project

    Greenland Resources Secures €500,000 EU-Backed Funding to Advance Magnesium Extraction at Malmbjerg Project

    Greenland Resources Inc. has entered into a Financial Sustainability Agreement with EIT RawMaterials GmbH, securing €500,000 in EU-backed funding to advance innovative magnesium extraction at its Malmbjerg molybdenum project in Greenland. The funding, provided through Horizon Europe, will support testing of magnesium recovery from saline process water—an initiative aligned with the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, as magnesium remains one of Europe’s most import-reliant minerals.

    The company also plans a non-brokered private placement of up to 112,122 common shares at $1.65 each, raising approximately $185,000. The offering, pending Cboe approval, is expected to close around November 20, 2025. Greenland Resources has applied for additional Horizon Europe–supported programs, aiming to cover a substantial portion of the project’s equity capex.

    Under the agreement, EIT RawMaterials will invest through Greenland Resources’ subsidiary in Greenland, with securities convertible into company shares via put and call options exercisable within six months. At least €375,000 of the funding will be advanced immediately, with the remainder contingent upon final project reporting and approval.

    The Initial Conversion, tied to the offering’s expected closing date, would see EIT RawMaterials receive up to 493,939 shares at $1.65, depending on the final amount of Initial Funds disbursed. Any later conversion of Remaining Funds would be priced at the 20-day volume-weighted average, subject to a minimum of $1.65 per share.

    EIT RawMaterials CEO Bernd Schäfer emphasized Europe’s pressing need to secure magnesium supplies, noting that China currently produces nearly all of the EU’s consumption. He said the investment supports innovative, low-carbon production pathways vital for European industry and defence sectors.

    Greenland Resources Executive Chairman Ruben Shiffman said the funding sets an important precedent for future EU strategic investments, demonstrating that public European financing can be deployed through the company’s Greenland subsidiary and converted into its Canadian-listed parent entity.

    The Malmbjerg project, which received a 30-year exploitation licence in June 2025, contains both molybdenum and magnesium. The project’s design focuses on low environmental impact, with high-grade molybdenum expected to supply up to 25% of the EU’s annual consumption and fully meet its defence needs during the first decade of production. Magnesium recovery from saline water is being incorporated into updated feasibility economics.

    With China dominating global production of both molybdenum and magnesium, the EU views long-term supply diversification as essential. The Malmbjerg project, supported by the European Raw Materials Alliance, is positioned as a key strategic source for Europe’s green, industrial, and defence sectors.

  • EU and Australia Deepen Cooperation on Critical Raw Materials Amid Western Push to Reduce Reliance on China

    EU and Australia Deepen Cooperation on Critical Raw Materials Amid Western Push to Reduce Reliance on China

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Australian government announced on Monday that they will expand their collaboration on critical raw materials, marking a significant move as Western nations accelerate efforts to reduce dependence on China.

    According to their joint statement, the initiative aims to strengthen financing and development across the entire critical minerals value chain—from exploration and extraction to processing, recycling, and innovation. The announcement comes as the European Union prepares to unveil a broad economic security package on December 3, reflecting growing concern over supply-chain vulnerabilities.

    Despite longstanding recognition of the issue, European officials and industry representatives say that financing continues to be a major obstacle in securing stable access to strategic minerals. Even projects listed as strategic by the EU currently receive no special financial advantages.

    The EIB has already taken steps by forming a dedicated task force earlier this year to boost support for critical materials projects, with plans to double its financing capacity. The new declaration is described as a key step toward enabling the bank to fund mineral projects in Australia, one of the world’s most resource-rich nations.

    International efforts are also intensifying. The G7, chaired by Canada in 2025, has established a Critical Minerals Production Alliance to mobilize public and private investment in fast-tracking production of graphite, scandium, and rare earth elements. Australia has offered G7 members the opportunity to purchase shares in its new strategic mineral stockpile.

    In parallel, the United States and Australia pledged $3 billion last month to support mining and processing projects, while also introducing a price floor for critical minerals—a measure long requested by Western mining companies. Additionally, Canada has secured offtake agreements for scandium and graphite with Australian producer Rio Tinto and Quebec-based Nouveau Monde Graphite, further reinforcing global attempts to diversify supply chains.

  • Allied Critical Metals Reports Significant Resource Increase at Borralha Tungsten Project in Portugal

    Allied Critical Metals Reports Significant Resource Increase at Borralha Tungsten Project in Portugal

    Shares of Allied Critical Metals (CSE: ACM) surged on Thursday following the announcement of a major resource upgrade for its Borralha tungsten project in Portugal. The company revealed that the total resource at Borralha now stands at 13 million tonnes grading 0.21% WO₃ (tungsten trioxide) in the measured and indicated category, alongside 7.7 million tonnes grading 0.18% WO₃ in the inferred category. The update includes data from Phase 1 drilling conducted this year, focusing on the Santa Helena Breccia zone with 4,210 metres of drilling.

    This new estimate marks a significant improvement over the 2024 resource update, especially in the higher-confidence measured and indicated (M+I) category, which grew from just under 5 million tonnes to the current 13 million tonnes at the same grade. The inferred resource also saw an increase of 600,000 tonnes, though at a slightly lower grade.

    CEO Roy Bonnell described the updated resource as a “major milestone” for the Borralha project, calling it one of “Europe’s most compelling tungsten assets.” He highlighted the project’s continued success in producing record tungsten intercepts and expressed confidence in its future expansion. “With our next core drilling campaign set for early 2026, we are optimistic about further developments,” Bonnell stated.

    The Borralha project covers a 3.8-square-kilometre land package with a rich production history on its northern side. Between 1904 and 1985, the site produced over 10,280 tonnes of wolframite concentrate with an average grade of 66% WO₃.

    Looking ahead, Allied Critical Metals plans to complete a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for Borralha in the first quarter of 2026, coinciding with the expected completion of environmental and permitting processes. The company also holds the Vila Verde tungsten-tin project, located 45 km south of Borralha, which boasts a historical inferred resource of 7.3 million tonnes.

    Following the announcement, shares of Allied Critical Metals climbed 6.8%, bringing the company’s market capitalization to C$80.8 million ($57.3 million).

  • EU Industry Chief Urges Faster Action and Greater Recycling to Curb Critical Mineral Dependence on China

    EU Industry Chief Urges Faster Action and Greater Recycling to Curb Critical Mineral Dependence on China

    EU industry chief Stéphane Séjourné has warned that the bloc must accelerate its efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese critical raw materials, stressing that large-scale recycling will be essential. Speaking at a conference in Brussels, Séjourné highlighted that under the Critical Raw Materials Act, the EU aims to meet 25% of its demand for key minerals through recycling by 2030 — a major challenge given that less than 1% of rare earths are currently recycled in Europe.

    Séjourné also called for faster deal-making on critical raw materials, arguing that the EU cannot afford to wait for lengthy multi-year trade agreements. He noted that EU production of gallium and rare earth permanent magnets is expected to increase sixfold by 2030, but that progress must speed up across all 17 strategic materials identified by the bloc.

    On regulation, Séjourné acknowledged that overly complex permitting rules have caused too many mining and processing projects to be abandoned, and said simplification is urgently needed. He also cautioned that companies must revisit their procurement strategies, as a recent U.S.–China “stop-the-clock” agreement delaying further export restrictions on rare earths is unlikely to last long. The commissioner is expected to present the EU’s new economic security doctrine and resource package on December 3.

  • EU Steps Up Critical Raw Materials Strategy as New RESourceEU Programme Targets Reduced Reliance on China

    EU Steps Up Critical Raw Materials Strategy as New RESourceEU Programme Targets Reduced Reliance on China

    The European Union is intensifying efforts to secure reliable access to the critical raw materials essential for clean technologies, energy security, and industrial competitiveness. Although China continues to dominate global refining and export of key materials such as rare earths, the EU has begun taking concrete steps to diversify supply and strengthen domestic capabilities—yet experts warn significantly more must be done to ensure long-term resilience.

    The 2024 Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) set the roadmap. It aims to bolster domestic mining, refining, and recycling while cutting dependence on any single external supplier. By 2030, the EU targets meeting 10% of its annual consumption through extraction, 40% via processing, and 15% through recycling. The CRMA also limits dependence on a single non-EU country to no more than 65% of supply for any critical raw material.

    Since its adoption, the EU has begun executing several key actions. In March 2025, the Commission selected 47 strategic projects for fast-track permitting, financing support, and priority access to buyers. A second round of selections will take place in January 2026. Member States are also required to strengthen monitoring of supply chain vulnerabilities and develop national resource plans.

    On the global stage, the EU has signed new raw material partnerships with Australia, Uzbekistan, Serbia, and Norway, with further collaboration planned with Greenland. Additional bilateral deals—such as Germany’s partnership with Canada—reinforce the diversification effort under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.

    Europe is also ramping up its processing capabilities. Neo Performance Materials recently opened a rare earth magnet factory in Estonia, the first of its kind in Europe, serving critical industries including automotive manufacturing and wind energy. Rare earth magnets are essential for permanent-magnet generators widely used in wind turbines due to their compactness and high performance.

    Recycling is another pillar of the CRMA. Member States must adopt national measures to improve collection and recycling of waste streams rich in critical raw materials, turning them into secondary supply sources.

    Building on these initiatives, Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné is preparing to unveil RESourceEU — a new strategy designed to strengthen EU purchasing power and reduce exposure to global supply risks. The programme includes a joint purchasing mechanism and strategic stockpiling centre for critical raw materials, enabling Member States to pool demand and negotiate better access conditions.

    RESourceEU is a direct response to rising geopolitical tensions and recent trade measures. China introduced export controls on rare earths and magnets earlier this year following U.S. tariffs, requiring foreign companies to obtain special licences. Although China has agreed to suspend some of the most restrictive measures for one year following negotiations with the United States, many controls—particularly on heavy rare earths—remain in effect and will continue to apply to EU imports.

    While the wind sector may avoid immediate disruption as long as light rare earths remain unaffected, the episode underscores Europe’s strategic vulnerability. Permanent magnets used in many modern turbines remain heavily dependent on Chinese supply chains.

    “The EU talks a good game on critical raw materials and has some good plans. It’s crucial they now execute,” said WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson. He stressed the importance of accelerating extraction and processing from alternative sources, adding that the RESourceEU plan “must translate into new action and increased urgency.”

  • Rio Tinto Pauses Serbia’s Jadar Lithium Project, but Opponents Warn the Fight Is Far From Over

    Rio Tinto Pauses Serbia’s Jadar Lithium Project, but Opponents Warn the Fight Is Far From Over

    Rio Tinto has placed its controversial $3.6 billion Jadar Valley lithium project into “care and maintenance,” pausing all development while retaining control of the land — a move that critics say is far from a full retreat. An internal company memo obtained by the ABC reveals that the mining giant will halt spending and suspend progress toward an underground lithium mine in Serbia’s Jadar region as it restructures operations under new CEO Simon Trott and continues to face major permitting hurdles.

    The memo underscores Rio Tinto’s view that Jadar remains a “tier one deposit” with the potential to play a major role in Serbia’s and Europe’s energy transition. But it also cites a lack of progress with government approvals as a key factor in the decision.

    The project has been the subject of intense public resistance. Tens of thousands of Serbian citizens have protested in recent years, warning that mining operations in the fertile Jadar Valley would cause irreversible environmental and agricultural damage. Activist groups, including Marš sa Drine and local residents who have refused to sell their land, say Rio Tinto’s pause is merely a “temporary retreat” and insist they will continue to fight until the company leaves Serbia entirely.

    “Care and maintenance is not the cancellation of a project,” said Serbian-Australian actor and activist Bojana Novaković, one of the leading figures in Marš sa Drine. She emphasized that Rio Tinto still maintains offices in the region and has shown no signs of abandoning the site. “Until they pack their bags, close their offices, and sell the land back to the locals, there’s no reason to think they’ve gone away.”

    Rio Tinto had planned to extract 2.3 million tonnes of lithium from what has been called Europe’s largest and highest-grade deposit — enough to supply batteries for one million electric vehicles annually for decades. When the ABC visited the site in late 2024, the company estimated the mine could operate for at least 40 years.

    The project’s recent history has been turbulent. After nationwide protests ahead of Serbia’s 2022 elections, the government initially halted the mine. But the Constitutional Court reversed that decision in July 2024, allowing the project to proceed subject to environmental and legal conditions. Days later, President Aleksandar Vučić, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and EU Energy Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič signed a landmark agreement granting EU manufacturers access to Serbian lithium — a move Brussels hailed as a “historic day” for Europe’s energy transition.

    However, Serbia’s political climate has since deteriorated. Public anger erupted after the collapse of a Belgrade railway station canopy killed 15 people, sparking massive demonstrations and contributing to the resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević in January. Activists now argue that the Jadar project’s fate is directly tied to political turmoil, and that approval could return once stability does.

    Gavin Mudd of the British Geological Survey noted lithium’s global importance — its market value having grown from hundreds of millions to several billions in just over a decade — but stressed that mining must be conducted responsibly. Opponents in Serbia remain unconvinced. They argue that the Jadar Valley’s fertile agricultural land and populated communities make it unsuitable for mining under any circumstances.

    “This would be the first-ever lithium mine built on fertile soil and populated land,” Novaković warned. “If we allowed it to happen, it would open the floodgates.”

    Rio Tinto declined to comment on the memo or the future of the project.

  • Montenegro’s NGOs Warn Draft Mining Law Threatens Constitutional Rights, Environment, and Public Interest

    Montenegro’s NGOs Warn Draft Mining Law Threatens Constitutional Rights, Environment, and Public Interest

    A coalition of 39 Montenegrin non-governmental organizations, activists, and citizens has issued an open letter urging Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and key ministers to immediately halt public debate on the country’s Draft Law on Mining. The group argues that the proposed legislation poses a direct threat to constitutional rights, private property, environmental protection, and the broader public interest.

    The signatories demand that the government withdraw the draft and launch a completely new, transparent drafting process that includes full participation from experts, local communities, academia, and civil society. They stress that the final version must comply with the Constitution of Montenegro, EU law, and international conventions.

    Central to their concerns is the draft law’s designation of mining as an “activity of public interest,” which they say enables — for the first time — the expropriation of private property for mining projects even against the will of property owners. This, they argue, constitutes misuse of the public interest as defined by Article 58 of the Constitution and contradicts Montenegro’s constitutional commitment to functioning as an ecological state.

    The groups also warn that the draft abolishes the requirement for environmental impact assessment (EIA) consent in mining permitting. Under the proposal, key mining approvals would no longer require expert review or oversight by environmental authorities. Activists say this would allow projects with potentially irreversible ecological consequences to move forward without scientific scrutiny, regulatory control, or public transparency.

    Another major point of criticism is the concentration of power within a single ministry. The draft gives the Minister of Energy and Mining the sole authority to approve changes to mining projects, including deviations from initial designs, without oversight by other institutions. According to critics, this opens the door to arbitrary decision-making, conflicts of interest, and corruption.

    NGOs further argue that the draft is inconsistent with EU environmental and human rights standards. They question the law’s stated aim of providing “legal protection to companies operating in accordance with regulations,” asking whether such protection is intended against domestic law, European norms, or international obligations — suggesting the draft prioritizes mining interests over public welfare.

    Penalties for violations are also deemed inadequate. The draft proposes fines as low as €1,000 to €2,000 for individuals and €15,000 to €20,000 for legal entities — levels critics say are too small to deter serious misconduct, making it cheaper for concessionaires to break the law than to comply.

    The letter additionally highlights serious financial risks. Any approvals or concessions issued under an unconstitutional or legally flawed law could be overturned in court, potentially obliging Montenegro to pay millions in compensation to investors or affected citizens. Such exposure, they argue, could undermine fiscal stability and saddle taxpayers with long-term financial burdens.

    The signatories conclude that mining “must not be an excuse for taking away homes, destroying nature, and endangering the future of our children,” calling on the government to act responsibly and uphold constitutional and public interest principles.