Brussels, 4 June 2025
The EU Commission adopted the first list of 13 Strategic Projects on strategic raw materials located outside of the EU, including in overseas countries or territories. The Strategic Projects will diversify the EU’s sources of supply and increase economic security. At the same time, the projects are designed to boost local value creation in third countries.
This initiative complements the list of 47 Strategic Projects in the EU, adopted on 25 March 2025. In total, all 60 Strategic Projects will contribute to the competitiveness of EU’s industry and in particular sectors such as electro mobility, renewable energy, defence and aerospace. Those projects are the first results of the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act which entered into force in May 2024.
Overview of the selected projects
Among the 13 Strategic Projects, seven are located in Canada, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Norway, Serbia, Ukraine, Zambia, with whom the EU has a strategic partnership on raw materials value chains; two are located in an overseas country or territory, Greenland and New Caledonia; and the remaining ones are located in Brazil, Madagascar, Malawi, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Ten of these Strategic Projects concern strategic raw materials essential for electric vehicle, batteries and battery storage, like lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite. Two Strategic Projects cover the extraction of rare earth elements, which play a key role in producing high-performance magnets used in wind turbines or electric motors for renewable energy technologies and electro mobility. Combined with the three Strategic Projects in the EU that cover the processing of rare earths, these additional Strategic Projects will be able to increase the EU’s security of supply of rare earths. Strategic Projects also cover copper, used from power-grid to microelectronics, tungsten, and boron, used in the automotive, renewable energy, aerospace and defence sectors.
Selection process
The selected Strategic Projects were assessed by independent experts to ensure that they meet the criteria established in the Critical Raw Materials Act, notably regarding environmental, social and governance standards as well as technical feasibility. In addition, the projects have to be mutually beneficial and bring benefits both to the EU and to the third countries concerned. The projects had to demonstrate the prospects of contributing to EU supply security, for instance through concluding off-take agreements with European downstream industries.
Benefits for the selected projects
The selected Strategic Projects will benefit from coordinated support by the Commission, Member States and financial institutions in the form of facilitating access to finance and contacts with relevant off-takers. It is estimated that the 13 Strategic Projects outside of the EU need an overall capital investment of €5.5 billion to start operations.
The Commission will also reinforce cooperation with the third countries concerned to ensure the development of those projects, especially through the Strategic Partnerships already concluded with some of these countries on raw materials value chains.
Background
The Critical Raw Materials Act entered into force on 23 May 2024. On the same day, the Commission published a call for submission of proposals for recognition of projects as Strategic Projects with a cut-off date on 22 August 2024. Applications considered complete were assessed by the Commission with the support of external experts to check whether the projects meet relevant criteria. Based on this assessment, the Commission identified a list of projects for the extraction, processing, recycling or substitution of strategic raw materials. The Commission consulted the Critical Raw Materials Board, composed of Member States, and the European Parliament as an observer, to discuss and adopt an opinion on the list of Strategic Projects on 20 February 2025 and on 12 March 2025.
The Commission adopted a decision on a first list of Strategic Projects in the EU on 25 March 2025.
For more information
- List of Selected Projects in third countries and OTC
- Selected Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act
- Critical Raw Materials Act – European Commission
- Interactive map and fiches
Quote(s)
Europe needs raw materials to succeed in our industrial and climate ambitions. The EU requires stable, secure and diversified supply chains. After the projects announced in the EU, today’s list of 13 Strategic Projects across the world will help to reduce Europe’s dependencies, contribute to our economic security while creating growth, jobs and export opportunities in the countries concerned.
Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy
Securing reliable supplies of critical raw materials is a strategic priority for Europe’s resilience and competitiveness as it is essential for the modernisation of our economy. The EU offer is to link cooperation in this area with skills, quality jobs, access to clean energy and essential services, and with good practices and high standards. This is what the Global Gateway is about, and our projects prove it in action. With this approach, we contribute to prosperity and stability in both Europe and our partner countries, strengthening economic security and diversifying supply chains.
Jozef Síkela, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships
Source – EU Commission
ANNEX to the Commisison Decision recognising certain critical raw material projects located in third countries and in overseas countries or territories as Strategic Projects under Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council
- Balakhivka Graphite Deposit is an ongoing extraction project in The project promoted by Pobuzhzhya’s Development LLC aims to contribute to the supply of graphite (battery grade).
- CaledoNi is an ongoing processing project in New Caledonia. The project promoted by Société Le Nickel aims to contribute to the supply of nickel (battery grade).
- Norgraph a/s and Greenland Graphite a/s is an ongoing integrated extraction and processing project in Norway (Norgraph a/s) and Greenland (Greenland Graphite a/s). The project promoted by GreenRoc Strategic Materials Plc aims to contribute to the supply of graphite (battery grade).
- Integrated Dumont Nickel Project is an ongoing extraction project in Canada. The project promoted by Magneto Investments Limited Partnership aims to contribute to the supply of nickel (battery grade) and cobalt.
- Jadar is an ongoing extraction project in Serbia. The project promoted by Rio Tinto via the local entity Rio Sava Exploration doo aims to contribute to the supply of lithium (battery grade) and boron (metallurgy grade).
- Kobaloni Energy Zambia Ltd is an ongoing processing project in Zambia. The project promoted by Kobaloni Energy Zambia Limited aims to contribute to the supply of cobalt.
- Maniry Graphite Mine Project is an ongoing extraction project in Madagascar. The project promoted by Evion Group NL aims to contribute to the supply of graphite (battery grade).
- Nussir is an ongoing extraction project in Norway. The project promoted by Nussir ASA aims to contribute to the supply of copper.
- São Miguel Paulista (SMP) Nickel and Cobalt Refinery Restart Project is an ongoing processing project in Brazil. The project promoted by Jervois Brasil Metalurgia aims to contribute to the supply of nickel (battery grade) and cobalt.
- Sarytogan Graphite Project is an ongoing extraction project in Kazakhstan. The project promoted by Sarytogan Graphite Limited aims to contribute to the supply of graphite (battery grade).
- Songwe Hill Rare Earths is an ongoing extraction project in Malawi. The project promoted by Mkango Resources Limited aims to contribute to the supply of rare earth elements for magnets.
- Tungsten West is an ongoing extraction project in the United Kingdom. The project promoted by Tungsten West PLC aims to contribute to the supply of tungsten.
- Zandkopsdrift is an ongoing extraction project in South The project promoted by Frontier Rare Earths Limited aims to contribute to the supply of rare earth elements for magnets and manganese (battery grade).
Source – List of Selected Projects
Statement by MEP Bentele (CDU) on strategic raw materials projects in third countries
Brussels, 4 June 2025
Today, the EU Commission is presenting strategic raw materials projects in third countries and EU overseas territories based on the European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).
Hildegard Bentele (CDU), rapporteur for the EPP Group on the CRMA and the European Parliament’s representative on the Critical Raw Materials Board—which helped draw up the list—stated:
“Through raw materials partnerships on equal footing, we secure Europe’s supply and shoulder our responsibility. Today’s publication of strategic projects in third countries marks an important next step in implementing the Critical Raw Materials Act. I very much welcome the fact that the EU is now also expanding targeted partnerships beyond Europe and identifying projects of strategic importance.
Whether in Ukraine, Canada, or the United Kingdom, these projects reflect a new geopolitical raw materials policy—open, cooperative, and strategic. They help us diversify dependencies and strengthen the resilience of European supply chains.
I would particularly like to highlight the projects in Malawi and South Africa, which focus on rare earth elements—currently an especially critical bottleneck in many green and digital key technologies due to Europe’s extreme dependency on China.
The CRMA is already becoming concrete within just one year—precisely where it is most needed. At the same time, we must catch up in areas where others have already advanced significantly. I have asked the Commission to present, by the end of the year, an update on our progress toward the CRMA’s targets. I am confident, however, that the Strategic Projects identified both within and outside the EU are only the beginning. Many more must follow, and the EU must pursue raw materials diplomacy in a serious and committed manner.
The EU has delivered—now it is up to the Member States, banks, investors, and especially the purchasers of strategic raw materials to support and make use of these initiatives. Security of supply comes at a price. Policymakers have done their part—now it’s time for European companies to step up honestly. We must continue the established close dialogue between industry, politics, and the Commission to identify further necessary measures—for example in processing, recycling, and new financing mechanisms—in a monopolistic and dysfunctional market.
We remain committed: the CRMA is not an end in itself, but a tool for European agency—for secure, sustainable, and strategically smart supply chains.”
e-translated by ChatGPT, prompted by Insight EU
Disclaimer: This English translation is provided for informational purposes only. In the event of any discrepancies or legal interpretations, the original German version shall prevail and is the only legally binding text.
EU Raw Materials Coalition (EURMC) on strategic projects abroad: Environmental concerns, communities sidelined, transparency missing
Brussels, 4 June 2025
Today’s release of 13 Strategic Projects outside of the EU under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) raises growing concerns from civil society over the European Union’s approach to Strategic Partnerships and mining investments outside its borders. The EU Raw Materials Coalition (EURMC) warns that these projects lack proper safeguards, transparency, and local involvement—putting human rights, Indigenous rights, and environmental protection at serious risk.
While Green Deal goals were central to the commission’s approach to CRMs, militarisation takes centre stage, risking human rights and the environment, all while the omnibus packages wreak havoc on the EU’s ambitions set out in the Corporate Sustainable Due Diligence Directive and Battery Regulation.
Of the second batch, several selected projects are based in countries outside of the EU with weak governance systems, raising red flags about how Strategic Partnerships are being implemented on the ground. The EU must live up to its commitments to human rights, international law, and democratic engagement by ensuring these projects do not replicate past extractivist harms.
The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act was meant to help secure raw material supply chains. But in doing so, the EU must avoid exporting social and environmental harm. Strategic Projects carried out abroad cannot proceed without Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) of Indigenous Peoples, whose territories are often disproportionately affected.
“With 54% of energy transition minerals located on or near Indigenous lands, the EU must ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ rights to self-determination and FPIC are fully respected—both within and beyond Europe’s borders.” — Yblin Román Escobar, Policy Advisor, SIRGE Coalition
Civil society is also alarmed by the Commission’s ongoing failure to provide information about how projects were selected, the criteria used, and how they will be monitored and evaluated—raising questions about the EU’s compliance with the Aarhus Convention and its own due diligence promises.
“The Strategic Projects list includes foreign mining ventures in countries with poor environmental oversight. Without clear criteria, safeguards, and public disclosure, these projects risk repeating colonial patterns of resource extraction.” — Robin Roels, Coordinator, EU Raw Materials Coalition
The inclusion of Serbia’s Jadar lithium project, led by Rio Tinto, as a Strategic Project raises serious concerns. The project has been widely opposed by local communities, environmental defenders, and Serbian civil society, who successfully mobilised against it in 2021 due to its environmental risks, lack of transparency, and violations of democratic procedures. Its reappearance on the EU’s Strategic Projects list, despite unresolved legal, environmental, and social issues, suggests a troubling disregard for public opposition and due process. This move risks reigniting tensions on the ground and contradicts the EU’s own values of participatory governance and respect for local democracy and participation in decision-making.
“The EU just added fuel to fire. It had back an authoritarian regime and a corporation against whom 63% of the population now stand to fight at a time when the entire country is under blockade and violence. The EU will thus lose support in Serbia and the region and probably cause further social unrest. The fact that the Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced the Board’s decision more than a week before it was public, also raises questions of legitimacy behind the decision.” — Aleksandar Matković, Research Associate, Institute of Economic Sciences
The recent amicable visit of President Vučić visit to Moscow also raises questions. The EU must urgently rethink its approach. Civil society organisations call for full transparency, inclusive governance, and binding safeguards that place community rights, justice, and material sufficiency at the centre of the EU’s external raw materials strategy.
Source – EEB (by email)