Brussels, 02 February 2026 – The European Court of Auditors’ report on critical raw materials published today sets out a clear diagnosis of the conditions needed to strengthen Europe’s mining and processing industry and secure the raw materials required for the EU’s clean tech ambition. The report confirms that progress depends on targeted action in three key areas: exploration, financing and permitting. Addressing these enablers would significantly improve the delivery of the Critical Raw Materials Act and unlock Europe’s raw-materials potential.
Key findings highlighted by the auditors include:
- Exploration in the EU remains underdeveloped, with only early steps taken to assess Europe’s resource potential and limited activity in high-risk targeted exploration.
- Access to finance remains challenging, as mining and integrated mining–processing projects are perceived as high risk due to long timelines, price volatility, energy costs and regulatory uncertainty.
- Bankability is constrained by the absence of stable, standards-based markets, limiting long-term investment and access to finance.
- Permitting procedures remain lengthy, complex and fragmented, continuing to delay projects despite improvements introduced by the Critical Raw Materials Act.
“The path to a stronger European raw-materials industry is clear,” said Rolf Kuby, Director General at Euromines. “Investment in exploration, bankable projects and efficient permitting can deliver secure and competitive supply chains.”
Euromines and its members are ready to support the EU in its ambition to increase the value chain resilience. This report supports our key message to foster the development of standards-based markets, support long-term investment, and adopt a permitting omnibus that delivers legal clarity, streamlines procedures across EU environmental legislation and ensures faster, more predictable decision-making — while maintaining high environmental and social standards.
Read the European Court of Auditors’ report here.
About Euromines
Euromines, the European Association of Mining, Metal Ores & Industrial Metals, is the voice of European metals and minerals mining industry. Our primary goal is to promote responsible industry practices and ensure that mining receives appropriate consideration in EU policymaking. As a collaborative network, Euromines brings together the Secretariat and Members to assess the impact of European and international policies on the industry, shaping unified positions and actions. Representing both large and small companies, a well as their subsidiaries across Europe and beyond. Euromines advocates for a sustainable and competitive mining sector.
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