Metlen Energy & Metals’ Post

The new EU leadership needs to take more drastic action if it is serious in promoting the production of indigenous, ie European, CRM’s. Unfortunately, so far, the European Commission has failed to understand the magnitude of the problem, which is the ease of access to CRM by European industry. This is not accidental since until now the EU had put all its weight in the promotion of RES applications regardless of the origin of technology, Although the Commission is at last beginning to understand the reliance trap it has fallen into, it cannot appreciate the urgency of the matter. This is why EU’ upper echelon needs to talk more often to industry representatives and listen carefully to what they have to say.

Well said. EU should be more proactively pursuing agreements with Canada, Australia, Latin American countries and others to broaden supply base.

Evangelos - couldn agree more than what you have articulated here. The platitudes showered on the EC about the speed of enacting the CRMA flowed thick and fast, however as it stands it’s just another policy without true substance behind it. Having just finished completing the “application form” for having our magnesium project declared to be a strategic CRM project I see there is a lack of true seriousness behind it in the same light as the CRMA It is to a frankly extremely time consuming in true EC fashion it reiterates to me the ridiculous targets which have been set in the CRMA without the mechanisms you note to back it up. I would hope the new (basically the same EC) gets its act together and listens to industry this time or they would better to cost up again to China to avoid tears.

RESs and CRMs go hand in hand. Only naive economists still believe in voluntarily free of barriers markets. Once a commodity becomes strategic, free trade soon flies out of the window. Non-democratic regimes and a few democratic ones will sooner or later use CRMs for their own benefit. Over-reliant to tourism Greece could pay a heafty price. Some "spoiled by summer" local communities fear about the impact of exctraction on tourism, but do they realise that spreading their income is to their benefit? Will they listen Mr Evangelos Mytilineos ? PS The same applies to geothermal power production in some islands...

Perhaps it’s just another move in the US-China trade and AI war, leaving Europe squeezed in the middle. Europe needs to grow out of the mindset of 'we're fine now, and we’ll figure it out when the time comes,' and instead, proactively prepare for future challenges—starting yesterday. It's not my field but per my understanding the CRM Act should have been implemented proactively rather than reactively. IRA-like policies might depend on an existing resource production base, enhancing autonomy in certain sectors, and might not be suitable for Europe, where vulnerability to short-term geopolitical pressures is harder to address. Maybe smart policies like subsidizing CRM-dependent exports could hedge against these challenges and support the CAB, though I wonder if they can balance market dynamics and adapt to fast-evolving development

Besides financial incentives and subsidies, which in my opinion is a disaster for free economy, progress and healthy companies in overall, there are dozens of derisking actions EU should also take into consideration which are quite straightforward: 1. Strategic Stockpiling 2. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) 3. Diversification of Supply Chains 4. Strengthening Trade Policies 5. Geopolitical and Security Measures 6. Infrastructure Development: One very simple example, I am years in EU projects and we want Africa close to EU, what is the participation of African companies into such EU funded programs. I am 100% onwards large EU funded research programs with high TRL level that will include also SMEs from EU and Africa in CRM production. I really do not understand why not having an EU funded program that will actually produce 100% working CRM production sites in EU, or even going further EU funded research programs in creating 100% operational CRM free zones for worldwide CRM producers to stockpile CRM into EU. But besides all these actions, the European private equity sector is more than capable of producing excellent various frameworks in derisking CRM supply I am not 100% on putting the blame in EU.

During the last lyears, China has economically invaded countries of the European union in order to increase her influence on them and avoid any actions that will be taken against her monopoly on rare earths. So, the goal is to break the Chinese lobbying into the heart of the European union and bring the issue into the light. For that aforementioned reasons i congratulate you for your perspectiveness on tis issue.

With China’s export restrictions already driving up prices, the EU must act swiftly to implement robust measures that ensure a stable and diversified supply chain, safeguarding its industrial and strategic interests

Very Good point! And given the usual “phase - lag” between EU legislation and action, there is not a moment to be lost! Recycling efforts must also be enhanced.

Absolutely correct point on a crusial issue! If the EU is to become a global power, it needs to change its industrial policy in regards to CRMs in order to boost its future economic competitiveness.