Technologies for innovative extraction of critical raw materials (RIA)

Expected Outcome

• Increasing availability of efficient, cost-effective and innovative raw materials extraction technologies in the medium and long term.
• Increasing the potential for primary sourcing ofEU based of raw materials deposits;
• Improving the responsible supply of raw materials to the EU, and contributing to the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA)[1] objectives (Article 1).
• Substantially reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and air pollutant emissions intensity per ton of the extracted material (metal, metal content, concentrate, mineral) while improving the impacts on habitat protection, ecosystem health and biodiversity.

Scope

Actions should develop and validate new sustainable concepts and technological solutions, for mining of complex or difficult to access mineral deposits, including abandoned mining sites, particularly addressing the challenges of accessibility, efficiency, industrial viability, safety and environmental and health impacts, including but not limited to water use, water, soil and air pollution, deforestation, biodiversity, ecosystem health, erosion, desertification, and GHG intensity of extraction.

Actions should assess how their technological solutions can deliver measurable biodiversity outcomes

The mining industry and users of targeted raw materials should assume a prominent role in the proposed actions, supported by adequate allocation of resources. The actions should duly justify the relevance of all targeted minerals and metals. Priority are the EU critical raw materials. Deep sea mining is not in the scope of this topic.

Actions should envisage clustering activities with other relevant selected projects for cross-projects co-operation, consultations and joint activities on cross-cutting issues and share of results as well as participating in joint meetings and communication events. To this end proposals should foresee a dedicated work package and/or task, and earmark the appropriate resources accordingly.

Proposals submitted under this topic must include a business case and a credible exploitation strategy, covering all required elements as outlined in the introduction to this Destination.

International cooperation is encouraged with countries with which the EU has signed Strategic Partnerships on raw materials, especially with Ukraine.[2]

Activities are expected to start at TRL 3-4 and achieve TRL 5 by the end of the project - see General Annex B.

[1] Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1724 and (EU) 2019/1020

[2] https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/raw-materials/areas-specific-interest/raw-materials-diplomacy_en