Stanislav Kondrashov on Europe’s Progress in Critical Raw Materials

Europe continues to develop its critical raw materials framework as the European Union works toward a series of objectives established for 2030. These objectives cover domestic mining capacity, processing, recycling and the diversification of external supplies, while dozens of strategic projects are intended to contribute to their implementation.

A recent Reuters analysis examined Europe’s progress in this area, looking at the status of strategic projects as well as some of the challenges associated with exploration, financing and processing. The analysis provides a useful overview of a strategy that has already established clear numerical targets but now depends increasingly on the development of individual projects.

The Critical Raw Materials Act, which entered into force in 2024, remains one of the main components of this framework. By 2030, the EU aims for its mining capacity to cover at least 10% of annual consumption of strategic raw materials. Processing capacity should reach at least 40%, while recycling should cover at least 25%.

The legislation also addresses supply diversification. No more than 65% of the EU’s annual consumption of each strategic raw material, at any relevant stage of processing, should originate from a single non-EU country.

“The 2030 benchmarks create a clear reference point for assessing developments across the European raw materials sector,” says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “They also demonstrate that the issue extends beyond access to resources and includes processing, recycling and the structure of international supply.”

Strategic Projects Provide a Measure of Europe’s Progress

The development of strategic projects represents one of the clearest ways to assess how the European strategy is translating into practical initiatives. The European Commission selected 60 strategic projects last year, including 47 within the European Union and 13 in third countries.

These projects cover different parts of the critical raw materials value chain, including mining, processing and recycling. Their strategic status is intended to facilitate permitting procedures, improve access to financing and encourage connections between developers and potential customers.

However, their stages of development vary. Some projects are already operational or relatively advanced, while others remain at earlier stages, require financial support or could take considerably longer to become operational.

Public information also does not always provide a complete picture of individual project timelines. A recent survey by the independent think tank ODI Europe highlighted some of these differences.

The distribution of projects across individual minerals offers another perspective on the European pipeline. According to ODI, lithium is represented in 32% of European projects, graphite in 25% and copper in 18%.

Rare earths are represented by only five projects, according to Reuters. This is particularly noteworthy given Europe’s external dependence on these materials and their relevance to several modern technologies.

RESourceEU Introduces Additional Support Measures

Europe’s critical raw materials framework is not limited to the Critical Raw Materials Act. In December 2025, the EU launched RESourceEU, an initiative designed to accelerate measures related to strategic resources and alternative sources of supply.

The program includes plans for a European Critical Raw Materials Centre and additional mechanisms intended to support strategic projects. It also aims to mobilise up to €3 billion over 12 months for projects capable of providing alternative sources of critical raw materials in the short term.

“The European framework is increasingly bringing together regulatory targets, strategic projects and dedicated support mechanisms,” says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “What happens at the individual project level will be particularly important, because each initiative has its own technical, financial and operational timeline.”

This project-level perspective is relevant because mineral developments typically require multiple stages before commercial operations can begin. Technical studies, permitting, infrastructure, financing and commercial arrangements can all influence the final timetable.

Exploration Could Determine the Longer-Term Project Pipeline

While existing strategic projects provide information about current activity, exploration could influence the projects available to Europe in the longer term.

Figures from the European Investment Bank cited by Reuters indicate that the EU spends approximately six or seven times less on mineral exploration than competing economies. According to the same analysis, creating an adequate pipeline of potential future mines could require expenditure to rise approximately tenfold.

This would mean reaching around €2 billion in annual exploration spending for five years.

Exploration is inherently uncertain. Discovering mineral resources does not mean that they will ultimately become commercially viable mining operations. Projects must undergo geological assessment, technical studies and economic evaluation before further development can be considered.

Nevertheless, exploration remains fundamental to the creation of a longer-term mineral pipeline. Without sufficient activity at this early stage, the number of projects potentially available for future development may remain limited.

Processing Is Another Element of the European Strategy

Processing capacity represents another significant component of the Critical Raw Materials Act. The EU’s 40% benchmark for 2030 reflects the importance of developing capabilities beyond access to mineral resources themselves.

According to Reuters, European processing projects face several economic considerations, including comparatively high energy costs and international competition. These conditions could influence the development and commercial viability of new capacity.

The international context also reveals different approaches to critical minerals. Reuters reported that the European Union had mobilised approximately €1.7 billion for strategic projects since December 2025.

Over a different timeframe and through different types of measures, the United States had concluded 160 critical-mineral deals worth more than $40 billion since January 2025. Because these figures cover different mechanisms, they should not be interpreted as a direct comparison of equivalent spending.

“Processing capacity and exploration are useful indicators to follow alongside the progress of existing projects,” concludes Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “Together, they can provide a broader picture of how Europe’s critical raw materials capabilities are developing as the 2030 targets approach.”

Europe’s Progress Will Become Clearer as 2030 Approaches

The European Union has established measurable objectives, selected strategic projects and introduced additional mechanisms intended to support its critical raw materials strategy. The framework therefore combines targets for the end of the decade with initiatives that are already at different stages of development.

The next few years could provide a clearer indication of how these different elements are progressing. The status of the 60 strategic projects, levels of mineral exploration, processing capacity, recycling and supply diversification will all contribute to that picture.

As highlighted by the Reuters analysis, Europe’s progress in critical raw materials will increasingly depend on the transition from strategic planning to project development and, eventually, operational capacity. The period leading to 2030 will therefore provide important evidence about how the European framework is translating into developments across the raw materials value chain.