EU’s new list of critical mineral projects focuses on clean energy metals

The European Commission unveiled a list of 46 critical mineral projects on Friday, aiming to reduce dependence on China's raw materials and secure its own mineral sovereignty. These projects span extraction, processing, recycling, and substitution for raw materials, supporting the EU's defense, automotive, clean tech, and technology industries.

Lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite dominate the list, with copper and aluminum also prominently featured. The European Critical Raw Materials Act targets that the EU should mine at least 10% of its needs, process 40%, and recycle 25% of its own raw materials by 2030, while sourcing no more than 65% of any one material from a single non-EU country at any processing stage.

The list covers 15 of the 17 strategic minerals under the act, with the announcement marking the second batch of projects since March 2025. The majority of projects from the first batch are behind schedule, highlighting the complexity of launching critical mineral projects. Brussels' industry chief, Stéphane Séjourné, stated that with the selected projects in 2025 and 2026, the EU could meet its extraction target for lithium, nickel, rare earths, magnesium, and tungsten, as well as its processing targets for lithium and rare earths, and its recycling targets for lithium, cobalt, and rare earths.

Over 170 applications were received, and the 46 projects span 16 EU member countries. Séjourné noted that the listing of these "strategic projects" offers expedited permitting and access to public and private financing, with permitting deadlines of 27 months for mines and 15 months for processing and recycling projects. Further strategic projects from non-EU countries will be announced later in the year.