The European Commission has selected 46 strategic raw material projects across the European Union to help secure key supplies and cut reliance on China. Three of the chosen projects are in Greece. They will benefit from faster permit reviews and support in seeking public and private funding.
The announcement came on Friday as the EU stepped up efforts to make its supply chains more secure. The projects span 16 EU member states and cover 15 of the bloc’s 17 listed strategic raw materials.
These materials include copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, graphite, rare earths, magnesium and tungsten. They are used in many key industries, including clean energy, transport, electronics and manufacturing.
The European Commission said the 46 projects are expected to need about €21.1 billion in capital investment. The money is expected to come from both public and private sources.
The selected projects aim to improve access to raw materials that are vital to Europe’s economy. The EU wants to rely less on outside suppliers and reduce risks linked to supply cuts or trade disputes.
China plays a major role in many global raw material supply chains, especially in the processing of some key minerals. By backing new projects within Europe, the bloc hopes to build stronger local supply networks and improve its ability to meet future demand.
Greece’s three selected projects focus on copper, gold and recycling. They include the Skouries copper-gold mine in Halkidiki and two industrial projects run by ElvalHalcor in Viotia.
The Skouries mine is one of the projects expected to support Europe’s access to key metals. Copper is widely used in power networks, buildings, electronics and electric vehicles. Gold is also used in electronics and other industrial products.
The other two projects aim to expand metal recycling and help meet demand from European industries. They are both linked to ElvalHalcor, a Greek metal producer.
One project, called Eteocles, is planned as a large copper recycling centre in Oinophyta. It aims to process 139,000 tonnes of low-grade scrap each year. The facility is expected to produce 117,000 tonnes of high-purity secondary copper.
Recycling can help reduce the need to extract new metal from mines. It can also give manufacturers a local source of copper and make better use of scrap that might otherwise go to waste.
Copper is important for power cables, electrical equipment and many modern technologies. Demand is expected to remain strong as countries expand electricity networks and invest in cleaner forms of transport and energy.
The third Greek project is the New Aluminum Recycling Hub. The facility is planned to produce 117,000 tonnes of aluminium plates each year.
The project aims to replace imports and supply industries that need aluminium for their products. These include aeronautics, electrification and packaging.
Aluminium is valued for its low weight and wide range of uses. It plays a role in aircraft, vehicles, power systems and packaging. More recycling capacity could help European firms gain better access to the metal while making use of recovered materials.
The Commission’s decision gives the projects a place on the EU’s strategic list. Faster permit procedures are intended to help reduce delays, while support in seeking funding may help project owners attract the money needed to move forward.
However, selection does not mean that all projects are already fully funded or ready to begin work. Their progress will depend on permits, investment decisions and other steps needed for development.
The wider plan reflects the EU’s effort to protect key industries from supply risks. As demand for metals grows, access to reliable supplies has become a major concern for European policymakers and businesses.
For Greece, the three projects offer a chance to play a larger role in Europe’s raw material supply network. The mine and recycling facilities could help provide metals for industry and support efforts to build more secure supply chains across the bloc.
