Background
Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) are essential to Europe's economy, forming the foundation of a strong industrial base that produces a wide range of goods and technologies used in everyday life. However, the EU faces growing concerns over the unreliable supply and limited substitution options for CRMs. Currently, the EU is heavily dependent on imports for many CRMs, such as Antimony (100% imported), Cobalt (32% imported), Germanium (64% imported), and Tungsten (44% imported). European reserves and recycling rates, like 2% for Germanium, remain low and insufficient to meet the growing demand.
Batteries play a key role in enabling zero-emission mobility and renewable energy storage, aligning with the European Green Deal and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to promoting climate neutrality, batteries contribute to other SDGs by facilitating decentralized and off-grid energy solutions. To capture a significant share of the rapidly growing rechargeable battery market, Europe must regain technological competitiveness while also investing in long-term research on future battery technologies. This dual approach will help establish Europe's leadership in battery innovation and strengthen its industrial competitiveness.
RAWMINA Horizon 2020 Project
“Integrated Innovative Pilot System For Critical Raw Materials Recovery From Mines Wastes In A Circular Economy Context” (“RAWMINA”) is a 48-month Horizon 2020-funded project aiming to develop and demonstrate an innovative pilot system for the clean and sustainable production of non-energy, non-agricultural raw materials from Mine Waste (MW). This industrially scalable and flexible innovative pilot system will be able to achieve, in continuous operation, 95% recovery rate and 95% selectivity for CRMs (Co, Sb, Ge, W), and 80-90% recovery rate and 95% selectivity for Gold (Au), Silver (Ag) and Iron (Fe) based high-value products, whilst reutilising 90% of water. The RAWMINA pilot system will treat up to 100-150kg of MW/day on an industrial demonstration (TRL7, 12 months operation) and includes an efficient, circular and robust process control by an end-to-end Intelligent Management System.
Key Project: Li4LIFE
Lithium deposits within the EU are associated with different mineralizations in solid host rocks, except from the lithium brines of South America and Australia. These mineralizations require a special approach when processing and purifying happens up to battery grade lithium carbonate. Li4Life creates an efficient technology for the extraction of lithium from poor or complex ores of underutilised deposits, as well as post-mining tailings, as the basis for the development of future clean energy. Reference objects in potentially viable lithium projects have been identified all across Europe. To cover the needs of the EU Battery Industry, Li4Life is aiming to contribute to the increase of the EU domestic supply of local raw materials by at least 5% by 2030. This will be possible by creating an innovative value chain for domestic lithium raw materials. Li4Life's pathway to this ambition - novel processing methods, and purification up to battery-grade lithium carbonate to overcome existing barriers, namely the lack of a sustainable social licence to operate (SLO) and compliance with strict EU environmental laws.
Helix Ecosystem
The Raw Minerals Helix is an international Open Innovation community of specialists in CRMs recovery and related disciplines. Researchers, industry actors, ethics specialists and policy makers, civil society (end users) and participants of other relevant projects and relevant actors across Europe/the world are invited to join the Helix.
The Raw Minerals Helix was launched as a focus for impact and dissemination services in support of the RAWMINA project's ambition to foster a truly collaborative ecosystem. In achieving this ambition, RAWMINA will contribute towards efforts to increase the circular economy in the mining sector, as well as to generate knowledge, technology and best practices.
This Helix is also linked to the Li4LIFE project, by creating impactful outcomes for the project and its external stakeholders from the industry, academia, society and policy environment.
This material reflects only the author’s view and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 or Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101137932.
Funded by
the European Union
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RAWMINA Intro Video
Marco Lopes
“Leitat is proud to lead the Raw Minerals Helix. As Critical Raw Materials are vital for EU economy, innovation in waste valorisation throughout Circular Economy Models is essential to reach Raw Minerals that consolidate & potentiate the industrial base.”
