Faster approvals and easier access to financing under the legislation.
With the adoption of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) in April 2024, the European Union aims to secure the supply of key raw materials. A central component of the legislation is the designation of “Strategic Projects” that support the extraction, processing, and recycling of critical resources. These projects benefit from streamlined permitting processes and improved access to funding.
In March, the EU presented an initial list of 47 such projects located within the EU (we reported). On Wednesday, the European Commission announced the addition of 13 more projects, this time outside the EU. Among them are the Jadar lithium mine in Serbia and two rare earth projects: Zandkopsdrift in South Africa and Songwe Hills, developed by the Canadian mining company Mkango Resources. Notably, Mkango already appeared on the March list for its rare earth separation facility in Puławy, Poland, which will process material from Songwe Hills.
The 13 newly added projects are spread across five continents, ranging from New Caledonia to Brazil. Greenland is also included, not for rare earth elements, which have recently garnered attention, but for a graphite mine intended for battery production. The territory has recently sought investment from both the EU and the United States.
More information on all listed projects can be found on the European Commission’s website.
Photo: Digital Visions via Canva
