Overview
- Economy Minister Katherina Reiche outlined initial allocations, including €50 million this year for lithium extraction in the Upper Rhine Graben and up to €150 million for a copper‑gold project in Canada and up to €100 million for rare earths in Australia.
- The Economic Affairs Ministry said the fund is ready to start work, with several candidate projects still under examination.
- Reiche said private backers will add substantial funding, citing a 1‑to‑9 leverage ratio and €1.9 billion in commitments tied to the Palatinate lithium initiative led by Vulcan Energy Resources.
- Government plans foresee roughly €1 billion in public financing over the coming years through KfW, according to official statements and media reports.
- Opposition leader Jens Spahn announced a planned annual China‑Check and a commission to review security‑relevant economic ties, with faction votes expected Tuesday and a Bundestag debate scheduled for Friday.