🌱 Why is there a list of strategic projects under the CRMA?
The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) “aims to ensure [domestic] European extraction, processing and recycling of strategic raw materials meet 10%, 40% and 25% of [the] EU's [total] demand by 2030, respectively”. The CRMA came into force on 23 May 2024. At the time, the European Commission opened a call for proposals for so-called “strategic projects”. The submitted projects were assessed by the Commission and external experts to see whether they met the relevant criteria under the CRMA. On this basis, the Commission then compiled a “list of projects for the extraction, processing, recycling or substitution of strategic raw materials”. The first list – consisting of 47 strategic projects – was formally adopted on 25 March 2025.
🌱 Which projects were selected?
The 47 strategic projects that were selected “contribute to the EU's secure supply of strategic raw materials, adhere to environmental, social and governance criteria and are technically feasible”. They each “cover one or more segments of the raw material value chain”. Overall, “14 of the 17 strategic raw materials listed” in the CRMA are covered. The projects are located in 13 Member States of the EU. There are projects in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Sweden. Of the projects selected, 25 are in extraction activities, 24 in processing, 10 in recycling, and only 2 in the substitution of raw materials. All in all, 22 projects cover lithium, 12 nickel, 11 graphite, 10 cobalt, 7 manganese, 3 tungsten, and 1 magnesium.
🌱 What benefits are the projects expected to bring?
Overall, the strategic projects will help the EU meet its targets under the CRMA. According to the EU, the projects will “contribute significantly to Europe's green and digital transitions, while supporting Europe's defence industry and aerospace industries”. Through the selected projects the EU hopes to be able to “fully meet its extraction, processing and recycling 2030 benchmarks for lithium and cobalt, while making substantial progress for graphite, nickel and manganese”.
🌱 What happens next?
The 47 strategic projects will “benefit from coordinated support by the Commission, Member States and financial institutions to become operational”. An expected capital investment of €22.5 billion is needed for the projects to become operational. The selected projects will “benefit from streamlined permitting provisions” and have “access to finance and support to connect with relevant off-takers”. The permit-granting process for each of the extraction projects will be completed within 27 months, and within 15 months for other projects. The European Commission is expected to launch a new call for Strategic Project at the end of the summer of 2025.
Read more about the projects here:
- https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_864
- https://www.mining.com/eu-unveils-47-strategic-projects-to-secure-critical-minerals-access/