The second call for CRMA Strategic Projects is approaching.

1. Context and Framework of the CRMA
The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), passed in 2024, sets European targets for 2030 regarding strategic raw materials:
• 10% extraction, 40% processing, 25% recycling within the EU.
• No third country should supply more than 65% of the consumption of a critical raw material.
________________________________________
2. Process and Call
• The first call was opened on May 23, 2024 (closing date: August 22, 2024).
• A total of 170 applications were received, of which 15 came from Spain, making it the country with the third highest number of proposals, after France and Germany.
• The evaluation was carried out by independent experts and validated by the CRMA Board.
• The 47 EU projects were approved on March 25, 2025, and the 13 international projects on June 4, 2025.
________________________________________
3. Projects awarded within the EU
• 47 strategic projects in 13 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Romania, Greece, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Belgium).
• Distribution by activity:
o Extraction: 25
o Processing: 24
o Recycling: 10
o Replacement: 2
• Estimated investment: €22.5 billion.
________________________________________
4. Spain: 7 strategic projects approved
Spain is one of the major beneficiaries of the first round, with 7 projects selected out of the 47 approved:
1. Doade Mine (Galicia, tungsten and tin).
2. Las Navas Project (Extremadura, rare earths).
3. P6 Metals Project (Extremadura, rare earths and cobalt).
4. El Moto Project (Castilla-La Mancha, tungsten and gold).
5. Las Cruces Copper (Andalusia, copper mining and refining).
6. CirCular – Atlantic Copper Project (Andalusia, strategic metals recycling).
7. Aguablanca Mine (Badajoz, nickel and copper).

These projects consolidate Spain as a key hub for critical raw materials in Europe, strengthening both primary mining and recycling.
________________________________________
5. Projects outside the EU
• 13 strategic projects in third countries approved on June 4, 2025.
• Locations: Canada, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Norway, Serbia, Ukraine, Zambia, Brazil, Madagascar, Malawi, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and New Caledonia.
• ​​Estimated investment: €5.5 billion.
________________________________________
6. New call for proposals in 2025
• The Commission has announced that it will reopen the call for proposals after the summer of 2025, with the same periodic cut-off dates.
• The CRMA regulations require regular calls for proposals, ensuring continuous opportunities for new projects.
________________________________________
7. Conclusion
With 15 projects submitted and 7 selected, Spain is the third most active country in the first CRMA call, behind only Germany and France.
Spanish projects range from tungsten, rare earth, and copper mining to recycling initiatives, aligning with the EU's strategic autonomy and sustainability goals.
The new 2025 call for proposals will be key to expanding the portfolio of strategic projects and further consolidating Spain's position on the European map of critical raw materials.
Do you need to strengthen or increase your project management capacity in the mining sector? Do you want to align your projects with best practices that improve ESG, social sustainability, and governance? Contact us to learn about our approach and success stories.