Euro Mine Expo

Skelleftea, 8 June 2010

EU Raw Materials Initiative

Paul Anciaux

Main challenges

• EU highly dependent on imports of important raw materials which are increasingly affected by market distortions.

• Exploration and extraction facing increased competition for different land uses and a highly regulated environment.

Recent developments

• Economic and financial crisis led to slowdown in growth, but continued growth by emerging countries will keep pressure on demand for raw materials

• Raw materials as essential component of Europe 2020 Strategy

An integrated strategy based on 3 Pillars

1. Ensure access to raw materials from international markets at undistorted conditions;

2. Set the right framework conditions within the EU in order to foster sustainable supply of raw materials from European sources;

3. Boost overall resource efficiency and promote recycling to reduce the EU’s consumption of primary raw materials and decrease import dependence.

Define critical raw materials

Objective

To establish - in close cooperation with Member States and stakeholders - a list of critical raw materials for the EU

Report expected by mid-June 2010

Methodology

• 39 raw materials analysed

• Three main aggregated indicators (economic importance, supply risks and environmental country risks)

• Substitutability

• Primary and secondary raw materials

• Transparent methodology

Outcome

• List of critical raw materials for the EU

• Analysis of impact of technological development

• Profiles for each raw material

• Recommendations

Challenge trade distortion measures using all available instruments (pillar 1)

• On 23 June 2009 EU requested WTO consultations on Chinese export

restrictions on 9 raw materials (coke, bauxite, fluorspar, silicon carbide, zinc, magnesium and manganese, silicon metal and yellow phosphorous)

• US and Mexico presented similar requests• In January 2010 a WTO Panel was launched

Trade and development policies

• Bilateral negotiations on export restrictions (EU-India FTA negotiations)

• Raising awareness (OECD workshop)

• Development policy Coordination with Member States International coordination

Improve the regulatory framework and promote skills and research (pillar 2)

• Guidelines on Extractive Industry and Natura 2000

• Report on access to land and exchange of best practices expected for mid-June.

• Skills and research Luleå declaration Technology Platform on sustainable

mineral resources FP7 projects (ongoing and future)

Example of FP7 project

PROMINE Nano-particle products from new mineral resources in Europe

Research area: NMP-2008-4.0-5 Innovative concepts and processes for strategic mineral supply and for new high added value mineral-based products

Project descriptionProMine targets extractive and end-user industries. Included, economic evaluation, life cycle cost analysis, and environmental sustainability: http://promine.gtk.fi

Upstream, the first ever Pan-EU GIS based mineral resource and advanced modelling system for the extractive industry will be created. Demonstrating the reliability of new (Bio) technologies for an eco-efficient production of strategic metals.

Downstream, a new strategy will be developed for the European extractive industry which looks not only at increasing production but also at delivering high value, tailored nano-products which will form the new raw materials for the manufacturing industry.

ProMine research focuses on five nano-products, incl. rhenium and rhenium alloy powders.

Promote recycling and facilitate the use of secondary raw materials (pillar 3)

• Regulation on end-of-waste criteria for a ferrous scrap and aluminium scrap

• Studies on implementation of Waste shipments Regulation

• Eco-innovation projects (Lead Market Initiative on Recycling).

Increase resource efficiency and foster substitution of raw materials (pillar 3)

• Give impetus to resource efficiency and eco-innovative production processes, in line with (to be revised) EU Thematic Strategy Sustainable use of natural resource

• Promote research projects on resource-efficient products and production; development of substitutes.

Way forward

• Council Conclusions of May and December 2009 as well as March 2010 endorsed overall thrust and objectives of RMI.

• Implementation work with Member States and stakeholders.

• Communication of the European Commission to Council by end 2010.

Further info:

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/raw-materials/index_en.htm

•Communication (2008) 699 “The raw materials initiative – meeting our critical needs for growth and jobs in Europe”

•Staff Working Document SEC (2008) 2741

Reference documents