Unternehmen, die Tantal, Wolfram, Zinn und Gold in die Europäische Union (EU) importieren und einen bestimmten Schwellenwert überschreiten, müssen seit 2021 Sorgfaltspflichten umsetzen um zu verhindern, durch ihre Beschaffungspraktiken zu Konflikten und Menschenrechtsverletzungen beizutragen....

In July 2024, the European Union (EU) and the Serbian government signed a strategic raw materials partnership. For the EU, this cooperation represents an important step towards diversifying its supply chains and strengthening economic partnerships in its neighbourhood. Serbian President...

We map the mining sector in Europe, with a focus on Energy Transition Metals (ETMs), and present an in-depth analysis of the environmental impact and associated monetary costs, at the regional level, of extraction activities. We aim to offer a spatially disaggregated view of the current mining...

Multiple geopolitical disruptions have highlighted the need for firms to diversify their supply chains. For Germany and the EU, this might imply an increased reliance on Africa, the neighboring continent, for example when it comes to sourcing critical raw materials for the energy transition...

Diversifying the supply of mineral resources is a strategic necessity - one in which resource-rich countries of the Global South play a crucial role. Zambia, which is a major global copper exporter and possesses other critical raw materials, is seeking long-term alliances that will mobilise...

Bis zum Jahr 2030 will die EU mindestens 10% der strategischen Rohstoffe, die sie verbraucht, im eigenen Land gewinnen bzw. verarbeiten (40%) und recyceln (25%). Nicht mehr als 65% dieser wichtigen, aber seltenen Ressourcen sollen aus einem einzigen Drittland stammen. Die Benchmarks des Critical...

This paper examines the challenges in implementing the EU's raw materials policy, including conflicts between minerals extraction, Green Deal objectives, nature restoration targets and public opposition to mining projects. It explores innovative approaches such as invisible mining, enabled by...

The EU is ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials that underpin European industry's transition to a low-carbon, digital future. Europe relies on the global importation of some of the building blocks that support modern life. These critical raw materials (CRMs), which...

In March 2024, the Critical Raw Materials Act was officially approved, marking a significant step toward enhancing Europe's strategic autonomy in critical raw materials (CRMs). The Act outlines specific measures to strengthen domestic production, improve recycling capabilities, and diversify...

The EU is ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials that underpin European industry's transition to a low-carbon, digital future. Europe relies on the global importation of some of the building blocks that support modern life. These critical raw materials (CRMs), which...

In March 2024, the Critical Raw Materials Act was officially approved, marking a significant step toward enhancing Europe's strategic autonomy in critical raw materials (CRMs). The Act outlines specific measures to strengthen domestic production, improve recycling capabilities, and diversify...

Horizon Europe is the EU's key funding programme for research and innovation. Under Horizon Europe, the EU supports the sustainable supply of raw materials and provides funding opportunities in the entire value chain.

This paper examines the challenges in implementing the EU's raw materials policy, including conflicts between minerals extraction, Green Deal objectives, nature restoration targets and public opposition to mining projects. It explores innovative approaches such as invisible mining, enabled by...

Strategic autonomy can be bolstered by applying circularity strategies such as reducing primary inputs and recycling critical raw materials in key technologies. However, effective actions require high definition at the material or technology level, leading to a non-systematic and often tedious...

Horizon Europe is the EU's key funding programme for research and innovation. Under Horizon Europe, the EU supports the sustainable supply of raw materials and provides funding opportunities in the entire value chain.

The European Union (EU) is aiming to strengthen its cooperation with like-minded countries to secure its supply of so-called critical raw materials. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen considers Canada a "perfect match" - a resource-rich and reliable partner that shares the EU’s...

The recent political consensus on the European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) marks a significant step towards a common raw materials policy within the European Union (EU). Against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions, the EU aims to bolster its "strategic autonomy" within its raw...

Bis zum Jahr 2030 will die EU mindestens 10% der strategischen Rohstoffe, die sie verbraucht, im eigenen Land gewinnen bzw. verarbeiten (40%) und recyceln (25%). Nicht mehr als 65% dieser wichtigen, aber seltenen Ressourcen sollen aus einem einzigen Drittland stammen. Die Benchmarks des Critical...

The paper aims to analyze the economic interests of some of the Balkan countries and Great Powers in Albania's resources above and below ground with a focus on hydrocarbons. It covers the pe- riod 1920-1926, specifically after the end of World War I when some of the Balkan states and Great...

The war in Ukraine has brought the challenges stemming from Europe's dependency on natural gas and oil imports into sharp focus. This has also highlighted another dependency - that on raw materials that are critical for the EU's transition to a low-carbon economy. A strategic approach to raw...

Die Umstellung der europäischen Industrie auf klimaneutrale Technologien schafft eine Vielzahl neuer Ressourcenbedürfnisse. Die Versorgungswege sind störanfällig und von zunehmender Verknappung bedroht. Mit dem Instrument der Strategischen Ressourcenpartnerschaft will die EU durch die...

German and European businesses are highly dependent on metals. Demand for these raw materials is expected to grow even further as they will be needed for the green energy and electric mobility transition, digitalisation and other emerging technologies. Geopolitical developments influence...

The term ‘strategic autonomy’ denotes the political goal of building a self-reliant EU economy with limited exposure to supply disruptions, like those stemming from the Covid-19 crisis. Securing access to the non-energy minerals required for building a new industrial ecosystem consistent...

The supply disruption of the critical raw material and the manufacturer's pre-disaster insufficient relief supply reserves significantly affect the relief supply chain system. To solve this dilemma, we divide the demand for relief supplies into critical and non-critical periods according to...

Assessing the trade of raw materials in relation to supply risk and sustainability is essential. Data on international trade flows (in quantity and monetary value) are widely available from several databases and classifications (e.g. UN Comtrade, Eurostat Comext) for narrowly defined product...