Enhancing safe production of rare earth elements could lessen EU's vulnerability inRaw materials supply
The European Union (EU) is taking significant strides to secure a reliable and sustainable supply of Rare Earth Elements (REEs), essential components for modern technologies. The REEsilience project, part of a broader EU strategy, aims to reduce dependence on China by focusing on low-risk sources through diversified geographic and technological approaches.
Europe is heavily reliant on imports for REEs, primarily from China. This dependence has raised concerns about supply security, market volatility, and non-sustainable mining practices. To address these concerns, the REEsilience project is working on developing a sustainable and resilient supply chain for rare earth magnets.
Researchers have analyzed and compared 149 global REE deposits based on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risk profiles. A key finding of the analysis is that even the exploitation of a few low-ESG-risk deposits could address the EU's REE supply challenges. Promising sources outside Europe include partnerships with countries like Canada and Australia, which have lower ESG risks and a higher proportion of deposits in advanced stages of development.
Domestic European production is also being scaled up. Projects such as Norway's REEsilience initiative aim to process 5,000 tonnes of rare earth oxides annually by 2028. While this capacity would meet less than 15% of EU demand, it is a step towards self-sufficiency.
Strategic partnerships and mining outside China are another focus. The EU has developed partnerships with countries rich in REEs but less politically risky than China, such as South Africa, Malawi, and Greenland. Greenland, with its low-risk deposits and special political relationship with the EU through Denmark, presents a unique and promising case.
Recycling and urban mining technologies are also critical pillars. The EU is investing heavily in recycling innovations, like the AI-powered iBot4CRMs, to recover neodymium magnets and other rare earths from waste streams. This addresses low European recycling rates currently below 1%.
Technological and financial enablers are also being explored. Recycling ventures supported by government-backed funding, such as Ionic Rare Earths’ projects in the UK and Brazil, demonstrate lower environmental impact and faster deployment timelines compared to traditional mining.
The diversified suite of sources and methods—combining scaled European production, international partnerships in politically stable countries, and advanced recycling—constitutes the low-risk, strategically focused REE supply framework promoted by the REEsilience initiative and the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act framework.
In addition to these efforts, projects in Sweden, Finland, and particularly Kiruna, Norra Karr, and Katajakangas offer medium to high potential in a stable regulatory environment. The Norwegian Fen complex, with its size, high ore quality, and low ESG risk profile, is another promising source.
Rare earth elements are indispensable for modern technologies, particularly for wind turbines, electric vehicles, and other components of the EU's targeted energy transition. The REEsilience project and related initiatives are crucial steps towards ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of these vital materials.
Sources: 1. EU project REEsilience 2. Jadar lithium-boron project 3. iBot4CRMs 4. Ionic Rare Earths 5. TU Delft's system dynamics model 6. REE inventory 7. REE supply chain analysis
- The REEsilience project, an initiative within the European Union's wider strategy, is investigating the development of a sustainable and resilient supply chain for rare earth magnets, which are essential components in science-driven technologies like wind turbines and electric vehicles.
- To further secure a reliable supply of Rare Earth Elements, the EU is exploring strategic partnerships with countries that have lower environmental, social, and governance risks, such as South Africa, Malawi, and Greenland, and are less politically risky than China.
- As part of the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act framework, technological and financial enablers are being pursued, with recycling ventures, like those supported by Ionic Rare Earths in the UK and Brazil, demonstrating lower environmental impact and faster deployment timelines compared to traditional mining approaches.
