EU Unveils 47 Strategic Projects to Secure Critical Raw Material Supply Chains

The European Commission accelerates efforts to reduce dependence on China through domestic mining, processing, and recycling initiatives under the Critical Raw Materials Act.

The European Commission has announced 47 strategic projects across 13 member states to strengthen critical raw material supply chains and reduce reliance on China.
The projects, including eight in France, focus on lithium, nickel, cobalt, and other key materials essential for green technologies like EV batteries and wind turbines.
Simplified permitting processes will fast-track project approvals, with extraction permits capped at 27 months and processing/recycling permits at 15 months.
The EU aims to meet 2030 targets of 10% domestic extraction, 40% processing, and 25% recycling of critical raw materials while limiting reliance on any single third country to 65%.
Environmental concerns, particularly over water usage in projects like the Allier lithium mine in France, and reduced opportunities for public challenges have sparked opposition.

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