As Euromines celebrates its 30th anniversary, I would like to recognise the important role the association has played in bringing together Europe’s mining sector and highlighting the importance of secure and sustainable access to mineral raw materials. Today, this mission is more relevant than ever.
Since joining RHI Magnesita in 2019, I have had the opportunity to work closely with colleagues across our global mining operations. One lesson has become increasingly clear: mineral resources cannot simply be switched on when demand increases. Understanding a deposit, developing it responsibly and ensuring its long-term contribution requires decades of geological expertise, investment and commitment.
This is why I believe Europe should continue investing in its own mineral resource base. The Critical Raw Materials Act provides an important framework for this ambition, but its success will ultimately depend on how effectively Europe can translate policy into new projects, responsible permitting and long-term investment.
This is particularly important for minerals such as magnesite, the natural mineral from which magnesia is produced. Magnesia bricks and mixes are indispensable for manufacturing steel, cement, aluminium, glass and many non-ferrous metals, making secure access to this resource an important element of Europe’s industrial resilience and competitiveness.
At RHI Magnesita, we operate a vertically integrated global network with more than 20,000 employees, 76 production sites – including recycling facilities – and 16 raw material sites worldwide. Europe remains an important part of this network and of our geological expertise.
One example is our Dolomite Resource Center Europe in Hochfilzen, Austria. The development of this modern dolomite and magnesite operation demonstrates how geological knowledge, innovation and responsible mining can come together to create long-term value. The project required extensive geological evaluation, careful planning and significant investment, reminding us that while mineral resources take millions of years to form, developing responsible access to them also requires patience and a long-term perspective.
For me, Hochfilzen represents what the future of European mining can look like: combining technical expertise with efficient processes, innovation and a strong focus on minimising environmental impact. The site is also expected to host a commercial carbon mineralisation facility capable of capturing and converting around 50,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually into valuable mineral products, demonstrating how mining can contribute not only to resource security but also to climate solutions.
(RHI Magnesita’s Hochfilzen site, Austria)
This same long-term thinking also shapes how I see the relationship between mining and circularity. Recycling and primary production are not alternatives – they are complementary approaches. While recycling allows us to recover valuable materials already in use, responsibly managed mining remains essential to provide the resources that modern society depends on. At RHI Magnesita, this philosophy is reflected in our own progress: recycled refractory materials accounted for 15.9% of our raw material mix in 2025, with a target of 20% by 2030.
Working across our global operations has also shown me how much Europe contributes to advancing mining practices. High environmental standards, engineering expertise and a strong culture of continuous improvement create solutions that inspire progress well beyond our region.
Looking ahead, my team’s priorities remain clear: strengthening geological knowledge, improving resource efficiency and supporting responsible mining that contributes to resilient European supply chains. By combining innovation, expertise and collaboration, we can ensure that Europe’s mineral resources continue to underpin a competitive, sustainable and resilient industrial future.
By Anja Moser-Tscharf, Head of Global Geology & Mining, RHI Magnesita
Photo credits: All images © RHI Magnesita.
