METLEN investment in gallium production officially joins the EU strategic projects for critical raw materials

The participation of METLEN’s vertically integrated bauxite mining, alumina plant expansion and 50 MT Gallium production project in the list of selected strategic projects of the Critical Raw Materials Regulation (CRMA) confirms the importance of these critical materials for the resilience of the supply chain in Europe. At the same time, it paves the way for faster licensing procedures, access to European funding and enhanced EU support, the company said in a statement, following the decision of the European Council on Critical Raw Materials to recommend to the European Commission the designation of METLEN’s project as of Strategic Importance for the Union.

“This decision ratified on March 25, 2025, is a milestone for European metallurgy and Greek mining activity, as it is the only project that decisively strengthens Europe’s strategic autonomy in bauxite, alumina (and aluminum) and gallium, all recognized as “critical raw materials”.

With the recognition of METLEN’s investment as of Strategic Importance, the way is opened for the implementation, after decades, of new mining activity in bauxite, an increase in alumina production, which has been severely hit in Europe, and – of course – the complete substitution of gallium imports, ensuring the production of catalytic equipment and technology for the energy and digital transition and defense.”

In total, out of the 170 projects submitted across Europe, 47 projects from 13 EU member states were approved.

European Commission Vice-President Stéphane Séjourne is to visit the Aluminium plant in Greece on Thursday, where the project and its contribution to European strategic autonomy will be presented.

Source: pagenews.gr