Europe ’s dependence on foreign-sourced critical raw materials poses a significant threat to its strategic autonomy and competitiveness. In this paper, we examine the historical significance of mining in Europe, the current geopolitical complexities surrounding critical raw materials supply, and recent EU policy initiatives aimed at bolstering domestic critical raw materials production and processing and building resilient supply chains. We highlight the crucial role of National Geological Survey Organisations in delivering knowledge of Europe’s critical raw materials potential, as well as contributing to international partnerships through technical engagement and geoscientific diplomacy. National Geological Survey Organisations collect and compile data on mineral resources, often serving as a primary resource for national and regional decision-making. This work is now crucial at EU level, with National Geological Survey Organisations mandated under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act to deliver National Exploration Programs to promote exploration investment through technical de-risking, and to coordinate efforts and geoscientific data and knowledge management at pan-European level. The National Geological Survey Organisations already share knowledge and best practices on European mineral resources through EuroGeoSurveys. Future efforts to secure European critical raw materials resilience will be served through their shared vision of a Geological Service for Europe.
The paper presents the most important issues related to the introduction of EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) in May 2024. This fact results in numerous new obligations on EU Member States connected with various actions to develop supplies of 34 critical raw materials (CRM) for EU, but especially of 17 strategic raw materials for EU. In-depth analysis has shown that the implementation of CRMA in Poland requires the adoption of an appropriate domestic act on ensuring access to CRM, which will take into account also raw materials important for the national economy. This new domestic act is planned to introduce permanent mechanism of preparation of the National Mineral Policy of Poland. The currently valid National Mineral Policy of Poland will be replaced in the coming year by a new one, which has to take into account all issues resulting from introduction of CRMA and its implementation in Poland. The provisions of this new National Mineral Policy of Poland must remain in close correlation not only with CRMA provisions, but also with: projected future domestic demand for raw materials critical for EU and important for the national economy, planned amendments to the Geological and Mining Law, expected introduction of multi-annual plans of the state geological survey, preparation, acceptance and commencement of the National Program for the Exploration of Critical Raw Materials, implementation of system of strategic deposits and institution of anthropogenic deposits, as well as the plan for international cooperation in the field of geology and raw materials. These activities are also aimed at improving the investment climate in the raw materials sector in Poland, which would result in the development of Polish production of some CRM from primary and secondary sources, also through the instrument of strategic projects according to CRMA.
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