German media: Slow progress on critical minerals in the EU, despite multiple working groups and many speeches, little action has been taken. Sources: Italy, France, Germany lead the EU's critical mineral reserve plan

The EU lacks refining capacity for critical raw materials, and achieving a diversified source is time-consuming, so establishing a reserve is a buffer tool. Sources said that in the joint reserve, France will be responsible for funding, Germany for procurement, and Italy for storage.

Reuters cited sources saying that the EU is advancing a critical raw material reserve plan, with Italy, France, and Germany playing leading roles. The EU hopes to reduce its dependence on China.

Last December, the EU launched a plan that includes a joint reserve and restrictions on the export of recyclable metals and rare earth waste. The EU has not yet officially released details.

China is the world's largest producer of industrial metals and minerals. Since 2023, Beijing has imposed export controls on gallium, germanium, tungsten, indium, molybdenum, antimony, and heavy rare earths such as dysprosium and terbium, which have hindered international supply chains.

Due to Europe's lack of refining capacity and the time-consuming process of diversification, strategic reserves are seen as one of the few tools to alleviate the impact of China's export restrictions, ensuring defense and military production, and achieving energy transition.

Task assignment

Sources said there has been some progress in critical metal reserves. According to three sources who attended the December meeting of EU officials, France will be responsible for funding, Germany for procurement, and Italy for storage.

Italy and Germany had previously stated they would cooperate to ensure the supply chain of critical raw materials needed by industry.

Sources said that the December EU meeting focused on storage facilities, including those operated by Pacorini Global Services, headquartered in Italy, and C. Steinweg, headquartered in the Netherlands. Both companies declined to comment.

One source believes that the EU is moving slowly, despite multiple working groups and many speeches, but little action has been taken. Another source said that Italy is "coordinating with the European Commission while coordinating technologically with member states such as Germany and France in the working group."

The EU's list of critical minerals includes 34 raw materials, 17 of which are classified as strategic raw materials, as they are crucial for green and digital transformation, as well as defense and aerospace.

EU Commission President von der Leyen said in October last year that the EU will seek to accelerate the establishment of raw material partnerships with countries such as Australia, Canada, Chile, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine.

Source: DW

Original: toutiao.com/article/1856252011724876/

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