Roundup – Critical Raw Materials News of Week 5

by | 31. Jan 2025 - 20:02 | Economy

This week, the European Union unveiled an agenda seeking to secure the bloc’s future competitiveness. Key areas include innovation, decarbonization, and security. The latter primarily addresses energy and raw material supply. Meanwhile, western supply chains of critical minerals made progress in Sweden and the United States—the details in our roundup.

A Compass for the EU’s Future Competitiveness
With a Competitiveness Compass, the European Commission aims to steer the bloc toward economic and technological strength. The strategy, unveiled on Wednesday, focuses on three key areas: innovation, decarbonization, and security. The latter primarily addresses energy and raw material supply, which is to be secured through partnerships with other countries.
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USA Rare Earth: Dysprosium Made in America
USA Rare Earth has successfully produced a high-purity sample of dysprosium oxide using feedstock sourced from its Texas Round Top mine project, marking a crucial step toward unlocking the deposit’s full potential. Dysprosium is a key ingredient in rare earth magnets to enhance durability and high-temperature resistance.
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LKAB Begins Construction of Rare Earth and Phosphorus Plant
State-owned Swedish mining company LKAB has officially commenced construction of its demonstration plant for processing phosphorus and rare earth elements in Luleå, Sweden. First announced in 2023, the plant is scheduled to become operational in 2026. The primary goal is to optimize the company’s material flows from the Gällivare iron mine.
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$2 Billion Budget: India Launches Resource Mission
The Indian government has given the green light for the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). Backed by nearly $2 billion in funding, this state-led initiative focuses on the exploration and processing of critical raw materials. It covers the entire value chain—from resource discovery and extraction to processing and recycling, both domestically and internationally.
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Modi: Exports of Raw Materials Unacceptable, Urges Expansion of Value Chains
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on domestic industries to expand their value chains. It is unacceptable for the country’s emerging economy to export raw materials only to later import finished products made from them, he stated at a local industry summit.
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