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22/12/2020

Implementation of the Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials

Euromines is publishing its Position on ‘Implementation of the Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials’ officially presented yesterday by Euromines President Mr. Mark Rachovides at the hearing of the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) of the European Economic and Social Committee. The main topic of the Hearing of CCMI 177 opinion was the Critical Raw Materials Resilience.

Euromines welcomed the Commission Communication “Critical Raw Materials Resilience: Charting a Path towards greater Security and Sustainability” (COM(2020)474 final). This document confirms the principles of the Raw Materials Initiative, launched in 2008 with the main objective of assure a sustainable and safe supply of mineral raw materials to the European industry and society, through three balanced pillars.

This communication includes an Action Plan where ten actions to diversify and strengthen Europe’s raw materials supply are proposed. It also states that the Commission “intends to develop and implement these priority objectives and the action plan with the help of Member States and stakeholders, in particular the EIP Raw Materials and the Raw Materials Supply Group.”

We must realize that the global population is expected to reach nine billion by 2030, including three billion new middle-class consumers. All of these have the right to secure their livelihoods and, if possible, increase their standards of living, as always in human civilization. This will increase demand for products and their related raw materials. In order to meet this challenge and to accomplish it with sustainably sourced raw materials, a shift towards more resource efficient production, increased recovery and reprocessing along the value chains and the end of life of products will be also important. Mineral raw materials will be decisive for a transition to a Low-Carbon society.

The Position Paper is available here.

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