The European Commission has greenlit 47 strategic projects aimed at bolstering Europe’s raw material independence, with one standout proposal hailing from Greece.
Announced on Tuesday, these initiatives span 13 EU member states and target 14 of the 17 critical metals outlined in the Critical Raw Materials Act, such as lithium, nickel, and aluminium.
The Greek project, a joint effort by Metlen Energy & Metals and European Bauxites, focuses on mining bauxite, alumina, aluminium, and gallium—making it the only one of the 47 proposals dedicated to these vital resources. This move strengthens Greece’s role in diversifying Europe’s supply chain and reducing reliance on foreign imports.
With a projected total investment of €22.5 billion, all approved projects meet strict environmental, social, and technical standards. They’ll benefit from streamlined licensing—capped at 27 months for mining and 15 months for other ventures, a sharp cut from the current 5-10 year wait—plus enhanced funding access and support from the Commission, member states, and banks.
Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, hailed the decision as “a landmark moment for European sovereignty,” emphasizing the need to boost domestic production and secure diverse supply sources. “Europe depends too heavily on third countries for critical raw materials,” he said. “This changes now.”
For Greeks worldwide, this approval marks a proud step forward, positioning Greece at the heart of Europe’s industrial future. While applications from non-EU countries are under review, no timeline for those decisions has been set.