Progress on the Implementation of the CRMA.
With the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), the European Union has, for the first time, introduced legislation aimed at securing the supply of essential raw materials for domestic industries. A key component of this initiative is the designation of “Strategic Projects,” which benefit from accelerated permitting processes and improved access to funding. The EU has now unveiled its first list of such projects.
A total of 47 projects have been selected, with the majority focused on the extraction, processing, recycling, or substitution of lithium. Additionally, five rare earth projects have been approved, including an integrated mining and processing initiative in Sweden led by the state-owned mining company LKAB. Meanwhile, Canadian firm Mkango plans to process rare earth elements in Poland sourced from its mining operations in Malawi, East Africa.
Companies involved in these strategic projects are required to regularly update the European Commission on their progress, including construction impacts and operational developments.
The full list of designated strategic projects can be found here.
Photo: VanderWolf-Images via Canva
