The European Commission has adopted the first list of 13 strategic projects for the extraction of critical raw materials outside the European Union. The aim of this initiative is to diversify supply sources, enhance the economic security of the EU, and stimulate value creation in partner countries.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Strategic Projects and Ukraine’s Role
The list includes seven projects located in Canada, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Norway, Serbia, Ukraine, and Zambia — countries with which the EU has strategic partnerships in the field of raw material supply chains. The remaining six projects are located in Brazil, Madagascar, Malawi, New Caledonia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Ten out of the 13 approved projects are related to the extraction and processing of key strategic raw materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite. These materials are essential for the production of electric vehicles, batteries, and other modern technologies.
Balakhivske Graphite Deposit — Ukraine’s Contribution
Ukraine’s contribution to the list is the Balakhivske graphite deposit, a project implemented by LLC “Development of Pobuzhzhia” from the BGV group. The graphite extracted here plays a crucial role in the production of batteries, electronics, and defense technologies.
“For us, this is not just recognition – it is a responsibility and a strategic mission. Ukraine is capable of being a reliable supplier of critical minerals, including graphite, which plays a key role in the production of batteries, electronics, and defense technologies. Achieving such status opens new opportunities for international financing,” said BGV.
The European Commission will provide comprehensive support to the selected projects. To launch all 13 projects, approximately 5.5 billion euros in capital investments will be needed.
This initiative complements the previously approved list of 47 strategic projects by the EU. All 60 projects will contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of European industry, particularly in the fields of electromobility, renewable energy, defense, and aerospace. These projects are the first results of the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act, which came into effect in May 2024.