The European Commission will support 47 strategic projects for the exploitation of critical raw materials As cobalt, lithium or magnesium for the supply of these minerals in the European continent, of which 7 of them are in Spain, with which it seeks to improve the supply, reduce dependence on countries such as China and reinforce the value chain of European raw materials.
The list prepared by Brussels contemplates mining projects in 13 member states of the block, with which it covers 14 critical materials of the 17 that set as priorities in its directive. Of the total identified projects, 22 initiatives focus on the lithium12 in the nickel11 of graphitewith another 10 related to cobalt and 7 to manganese.
The plan is to support different phases of the value chain, since of all the identified projects, 25 contemplate mineral extraction activities, while another 24 focus on the processing of materials, 10 on recycling and two in the replacement of critical raw materials.
This list of projects will benefit from the coordinated support of the Commission, Member States and Financial Institutions to boost their entry into operation, in view of the estimated investment of about 22,000 million that is needed to launch the projects. They may also have simplified provisions on permits, with the aim of guaranteeing the predictability for the promoters of the initiatives.
Behind this list is the intention of the community executive of guarantee the security of the supply of raw materials strategic union. The projects were selected for being “technically viable or having potential to be a reasonable time, show the planned production volumes and execute sustainably.”
This list of strategic mining projects in the EU follows the law of critical raw materials approved in 2023 with which Brussels wants to diversify the imports of critical materials to ensure that from 2030 the EU does not get more than 65% of them from a single third country like China. Currently, the block obtains 97% of its magnesium in China, while 63% of the world cobalt, used in batteries, is extracted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Seven priority projects in Spain
Of the total projects selected by Brussels, 7 are found in Spain, mostly related to the extraction of minerals. Specifically, identify Mina Doade, in Galiciaand to the mining project of Las Navas, in Extremadura, for lithium extraction; to P6 Metals, in Extremadurafor extraction and processing of Wolgframio; and al El Moto Mining Project, in Castilla-La Manchacentered in Wolgframio.
In addition, other priority farms in Spanish territory are the initiative for copper extraction and processing Copper las crosses, in Andalusia; leaf Aguablanca for the supply of cobalt, copper and nickel in Extremadura; and the mining recycling project Circular, based in Andalusia, to contribute to the supply of copper, nickel and platinum metals.
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