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EU Selects 46 Critical Minerals Projects for Fast-Tracking

By NAM NewsroomOctober 21, 2026

The European Commission has selected 46 strategic critical minerals projects for expedited permitting and assistance in obtaining public and private funding and facilitated connections with suppliers and buyers as the EU works to reduce its supply chain vulnerabilities, including dependence on China (Reuters).

The goal: “The Commission hopes prioritizing projects will help the bloc meet targets set out in its 2024 Critical Raw Materials Act, under which the EU aims to mine 10%, process 40% and recycle 25% of its annual needs by 2030.”

The minerals: The projects span 16 EU countries and target 15 critical minerals, including copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, graphite, rare earths, magnesium and tungsten.

  • The projects span and integrate different stages of the critical minerals value chain, including extraction, processing and recycling.
  • “Notable projects include the Zinnwald Lithium project in Germany, the Skouries mine in Greece, Arctial’s planned aluminium smelter in Finland and the Viscaria copper project in Sweden, as well as projects backed by major European industrial groups including Umicore, Aurubis and Leonardo.”

The wider effort: The EU selected 60 projects last year, including several outside the bloc, but progress has been slower than expected. The Commission plans to announce another call for strategic project applications by the end of 2026.

The NAM’s position: The NAM has urged U.S. policymakers to expand domestic critical minerals production and strengthen partnerships with allies to diversify supply chains, outlining its recommendations in a policy agenda released in June. The EU’s latest actions are part of the growing international effort to secure reliable supplies of the minerals essential to manufacturing.

  • The NAM is also engaging directly with allied countries to strengthen mineral supply chains, including improved capital flows towards strategic mineral opportunities, particularly for byproduct recovery.