The European Commission adopted its first list of 13 Strategic Projects on critical raw materials outside the EU, aiming to diversify supply sources and boost economic security, the Commission announced on Wednesday. These projects, located in countries including Canada, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Norway, Serbia, Ukraine, Zambia, Brazil, Madagascar, Malawi, South Africa, and the UK, will support local value creation and enhance the EU's raw materials supply chains. The initiative complements a previous list of 47 Strategic Projects within the EU adopted in March 2025. Together, the 60 projects focus on sectors like electric vehicles, renewable energy, defence, and aerospace under the Critical Raw Materials Act, effective since May 2024. Most projects target essential materials for electric vehicle batteries, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite, while others focus on rare earth elements vital for magnets in wind turbines and electric motors. The Commission estimates €5.5 billion in capital investment will be needed to launch the 13 projects. The EU will coordinate support with member states, financial institutions, and partner countries to facilitate financing and develop these strategic raw material supply chains. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
