EU backs Anglo-American and Sibanye-Stillwater in critical minerals push

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At a Glance

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• EU designates Anglo-American’s Sakatti project and Sibanye-Stillwater’s Keliber and GalliCam ventures as ‘Strategic Projects’ under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).
• Anglo’s Sakatti mine will boost Europe’s copper supply, while Sibanye’s Keliber and GalliCam projects strengthen the EV battery supply chain.
• With only 4% of its critical minerals produced domestically, the EU aims to increase mining, refining, and recycling to meet 10% of demand by 2030 under the CRMA.

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European Commission has granted ‘Strategic Project’ status to key ventures by Anglo American and Sibanye-Stillwater under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), reinforcing Europe’s push to secure essential metals for the energy transition.

Anglo-American’s Sakatti project in Finnish Lapland is set to become a cornerstone of the EU’s mineral strategy, with its high-grade copper reserves supporting efforts to boost domestic supply.

Discovered in 2009, Sakatti will be developed as a FutureSmart underground mine, integrating automation and low-carbon technology to minimize environmental impact.

Sibanye-Stillwater advances its European footprint with approvals for its Keliber lithium project in Finland and the GalliCam project in France.

Keliber, backed by a €500 million($539.32 million) green loan, will be Europe’s first fully integrated lithium hydroxide producer, supplying the EV battery sector.

Meanwhile, GalliCam will transform the Sandouville nickel refinery into a precursor cathode active material (pCAM) hub, strengthening Europe’s battery supply chain.

Strategic metals: Securing Europe’s future
With the EU producing just 4 percent of the critical minerals it needs, the CRMA aims to raise domestic mining, refining, and recycling to 10 percent of demand by 2030.

Of 170 applications, only 47 projects secured ‘Strategic Project’ status—highlighting their vital role in Europe’s supply resilience.

For Anglo American, Sakatti aligns with its shift toward high-demand metals, while Sibanye-Stillwater’s lithium and battery ventures cement its green metals leadership.

With fast-tracked permitting and financial backing, these projects will be pivotal in reshaping Europe’s mining and battery industries amid intensifying global competition.