In their speeches, Commissioners Stéphane Séjourné and Maroš Šefčovič discussed priorities which included facilitation of the concession process, increased recycling of raw materials, and fair and sustainable trade. They also stressed the importance of building strategic reserves and supporting investment in raw material mining, processing and recycling projects.
Poland was represented at the conference by Krzysztof Galos, Poland’s Chief Geologist, who presented the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which, in addition to the various dimensions of security and resilience, also emphasize ensuring proper implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act.
From JSW SA's point of view, a stable, predictable and investor-friendly regulatory environment at both the EU and national levels is crucial. Without the European Commission's support for EU production of critical raw materials, the European economy will become even more dependent on third-country supplies cannibalizing the remnants of the mining industry in individual member countries. A secure raw materials base should be a priority for the European Commission to increase the competitiveness of European industry and protect it, including with regard to jobs in metallurgy. In this aspect, a revision of the critical approach and support mechanisms that also take into account critical raw materials, such as coking coal, in terms of production and strategic reserve for Europe should be high on the political agenda of the Polish government and the new term of the European Commission.
The event also featured the inauguration of the European Raw Materials Academy. The Academy is to operate on the basis of local partnerships, and its main goal is to fill skill gaps across the raw material value chain by upskilling or retraining workers.
