The European Union has created a priority list of 47 projects to extract and replace essential raw materials, which should be processed by a maximum of 15 months by a quick route.
The AuthorityIt rushes to increase internal production in a growing environment Global struggle for essential elements Like him LithiumHe CobaltHe Copper And the metals Rare earthIt has created a list of mining and transformation projects that wish to be seen in operation by the end of the decade.
“We don’t want to change our dependency Fossil fuels for dependence on raw materials, ”the Vice President of the European Commission for Prosperity and Industrial techniqueStephen Sezorn. To theChinese lithium will not be Russian gas tomorrow“.
The French Commissioner noted militarization Kremlin Most of his domination European natural gas products In the forefront of Russian invasion on Ukraine, and stance China As the main provider of many Essential componentsAmong them are all the rare earth that imports the EU.
He Lithium (Electric vehicles are only a major ingredient in batteries) One 34 raw materials The European Union has identified Basic for change Fossil fuels for energy and the new digital economy, half of them are considering the great strategic importance of Brussels.
The List (It can be consulted in A Interactive map) Including Industrial plans to do Extract or process the lithium Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Czech Republic and Finland. Overall, various projects are distributed between 13 member states.
The European Union plans to fulfill its objectives of lithium and Cobalt
A The law of complex raw materials Authorized, recognized a year ago, governments ensure that 10% of mineral extraction, 40% of their change and 25% of their recycling are carried out Inside the EU At the end of the decade.
According to the Commission, these objectives will complete the volume complete Lithium and Cobalt Related programs (if they are selected depending on their maturity and reliability) when making “significant improvements” in graphite, nickel and manganese).
The law asks EU member states Climbing permits For selected projects, for 27 months for mining, 15 months for change and recycling facilities. Newly created The complex raw materials council Will work with the companies involved to get the bulk of the commission 22.5 billion in investment The calculated capital, which is needed, makes it easier to provide financing through development banks.
Board of directors European Investment Bank It agreed last week to launch a new strategic initiative on critical raw materials, which will only make 2,000 million euros in investment funding this year. Demanded their post in 170 Strategy From the European Union, 46 people from outside the EU will be decided on them in the coming weeks, and after the new debates, I know that they will refer to a political dimension.
However, the US actions (Sejourne denied that this has expressed interest The most important raw materials of Greenland. “On the other hand, probably may have a move Urgently and speed It was not three or four months ago Business relationships And Geological political tensionsWe have to take into account, “he said.
Trump wants to increase mining production in the United States
The urgency is clearly felt on the other side of the Atlantic. In an administrative order last Thursday, the President Trump Notified ”immediate activities Increase US mining production“Similarly, it seeks to reduce delays in issuing permits, while it is a security problem, and in addition to the safety of energy.
But not all audiences are happy in the rhythm of the Brussels progressing. Robin Royles, Coordinator of the NGOs, warned that the Commission would undermine public confidence The process of choosing the “opaque”.
“If the EU takes a fair and stable change seriously, it should Open this process to a true study And guaranteed for it Social voices“Rolls said.” Complete listing and assessment criteria of project applicants despite repeated requests They have not yet been revealed“.
The Commission is clearly aware of it Public opposition For mining projects (which has created muted efforts Lithium extraction in Portugal and SerbiaTo keep only two recent examples) Political work About Social acceptance In these projects, Sejourne said, underlined the need to underline national and European interests.
