Strategic projects selected — second round under assessment · Risk 7.5/10 · 4 active alerts
The CRMA is in force. The Commission selected 47 EU projects in Mar 2025 and 13 non-EU/OCT projects in Jun; a second call closed on 15 Jan 2026 with more than 160 applications. RESourceEU was adopted in Dec 2025 and the Sep 2026 Greenland package strengthens the external pillar.
Editorial snapshot: 2026-09-13
The second selection round attracted more than 160 applications. China’s export controls and project financing remain the central supply risks.
CRMA Board received 47 strategic project applications. 23 mining/extraction, 14 processing, 10 recycling. Largest: Portuguese lithium extraction, Finnish nickel/cobalt, Swedish rare earth processing. Fast-track permitting test.
commission.europa.eu
China extended export licensing requirements for gallium, germanium, and added antimony. Commission impact assessment: EU gallium supply reduced 34% since restrictions began. Emergency stockpile discussions accelerated.
commission.europa.eu
European Raw Materials Fund allocates first tranche. Projects in Portugal (lithium), Finland (nickel), Spain (cobalt), Sweden (rare earths), Germany (recycling), Poland (recycling), Czech Republic (graphite), Greece (bauxite).
Euractiv