Meeting Europe’s Raw Materials Needs

Lisbon, Portugal – 22 October 2025 – Europe’s ambitious push to secure a domestic supply of critical and strategic raw materials by 2030 was the dominant theme of Session 6 at the MINEX Europe Forum in Lisbon. Under the title, “Meeting Europe’s Raw Materials Needs from Primary and Secondary Sources,” speakers across the raw materials value chain convened to discuss the formidable challenges and innovative solutions necessary to meet the targets set by the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). 

Moderated by Martina Bassan, Head of Communications at EUROMETAUX, the session made clear that Europe faces a significant supply-demand gap, driven by rapid industrial electrification and the digital transition. With the CRMA mandating that by 2030, 10% of strategic raw material consumption must come from domestic extraction, 40% from processing, and 15% from recycling, the pressure for swift action is immense. 

 

Context and Challenges 

The session began by reiterating the EU’s urgent need to increase domestic production, processing, and recycling to ensure strategic autonomy and secure supplies for critical sectors like clean tech, digital, automotive, space, and defence. 

• The CRMA sets specific targets, including sourcing 10% of strategic raw material (SRM) consumption from domestic extraction, 40% from domestic processing, and 15% from domestic recycling by 2030. 

• Alena Kudzko (GLOBSEC US Foundation) presented projections showing that on the current trajectory, domestic sources would only cover around 20% of Europe’s critical raw material (CRM) needs by 2030, highlighting a significant supply-demand gap driven by electrification and digital buildout. 

• The overall consensus was that while the CRMA is a crucial turning point, its targets will be challenging to meet without significant action and innovation, especially given the lack of new mine openings in the EU over the past 15 years. 

• A recurring challenge across multiple speakers was the long timeline (often 20+ years) from discovery to mine operation in Europe, coupled with societal opposition (“Not In My Backyard” – NIMBYism) and complex, often outdated, regulatory environments. 

 

Innovation, Technology, and Circularity 

Speakers emphasised the vital role of technological innovation and circular economy models in bridging the supply gap and ensuring environmental responsibility. 

Primary Supply Innovation 

• Alena Kudzko identified three supply-side levers: converting/expanding existing sites, primary supply innovation, and recycling. Innovative approaches include: 

• • AI-enabled process optimisation (potentially boosting local supply by 2–4%). 

• • Innovative chemical processes like Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE). 

• • Recovery of metals from mining tailings (e.g., using hydrometallurgical leaching processes). 

• Andrew Bamber (Bara Consulting) presented a technical case study on the Arthrath Ni-Cu-Co Deposit in Scotland, where glycine leaching (an atmospheric pressure, low-temperature process) is being investigated. This innovation allows for low-grade ore processing and direct production of battery-grade nickel and cobalt sulphate, bypassing energy-intensive pyrometallurgical steps. 

• Marko Komac (INTRAW Observatory) introduced the BLOOM project, which aims to optimise the entire ore processing chain using mineral liberation analysis (MLA) supported by AI tools. This modular approach provides real-time feedback to enhance material yield and reduce costs, particularly for deep mines and low-grade ores. 

• Manuel Silva Balocchi (SRK Consulting (UK)) stressed that value in underground mining is unlocked by properly integrating multi-disciplinary teams and understanding the entire workflow, noting that a recently assessed European lithium project achieved an 88-million-tonne inventory, securing a 58-year life of mine. 

Circular Economy and Secondary Sources 

• Wen-Yu Weng (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) argued that a circular economy is essential, not optional, to meet both the energy and digital transition demands, stating that current levels of secondary supply are insufficient. She highlighted levers beyond traditional recycling, such as: 

• • Design for Disassembly (e.g., standardising components in consumer electronics). 

• • Innovative business models (e.g., Battery-as-a-Service, battery swapping). 

• Fernando Acosta (International Copper Study Group) focused on copper, a mature circular industry, noting that secondary supply could provide 30–50% of the expected increase in demand. The global recycling input rate for copper stood at 32% in 2023. He suggested copper’s established secondary sector can lead the way for other CRMs. 

• Constantin Beelitz (RHI Magnesita) highlighted magnesia (Magnesium Oxide), an unsung hero not currently on the CRMA list, which is essential for processing/recycling 50% of strategic raw materials. Europe is 80% dependent on China for magnesia. The company is tackling this by increasing its recycling rate to 22% in Europe and developing the Raptor—an automated sorting technology using 3D and hyperspectral imaging to increase the yield of spent refractories to 90%. 

• Alena Kudzko calculated that doubling down on battery recycling could yield additional supplies of 7–9% of total European demand for materials like lithium and nickel. 

 

Critical Metals in Focus 

The session also featured specific presentations on key metals and their strategic relevance. 

• Magnesium Metal: Martin Wolfgang Tauber (International Magnesium Association) noted that while the minerals for magnesium extraction (dolomite, etc.) are not critical, the primary production is an issue, as Europe is 95% dependent on Chinese imports. He argued that primary production should be recognised under the CRMA’s 40% processing target, requiring an estimated 80,000 tonnes of European primary capacity. 

• Copper, Zinc, Gold, Silver, and Lead: Joaquín Jesús Merino Márquez (Emerita) presented the Iberian Belt West exploration project in Spain, a recent success story. He stressed the need for a change in exploration strategy, focusing on deposits that are high-grade, large-sized, and offer continuity to justify the high investment (e.g., €350–400 million for his project). 

 

Key Enablers and Next Steps 

The overall message was that a concerted effort from governments, investors, industry, and the public is required. 

• Policy and Regulation: Need for a stable policy environment and a focus on shorter, more predictable permitting processes. A call was made to broaden the CRMA list to include materials like magnesia that are functionally critical to the processing chain. 

• Financing: Need for financial incentives (grants, tax rebates) and instruments to de-risk projects and incentivise R&D. 

• Societal Acceptance: A challenge was laid out to the industry and society: the benefits of the transition must be weighed against the necessary burden of domestic resource extraction.