In a world increasingly driven by technology and sustainability, critical raw materials (CRMs) have become the backbone of modern industry. From lithium and cobalt to rare earth elements, these materials power renewable energy, electric vehicles, and digital infrastructure—making them indispensable for Europe’s green and digital transition.
However, securing a stable, sustainable, and ethically sourced supply of CRMs remains one of the EU’s most pressing challenges. Economic dependencies, geopolitical tensions, and environmental concerns threaten the resilience of supply chains, prompting urgent action at the European level.
Why Critical Raw Materials Matter
CRMs are essential to Europe’s industrial competitiveness, but their supply is fraught with challenges:
- Geopolitical Risks – A significant portion of CRMs is sourced from regions with political instability, creating vulnerabilities in supply chains.
- Environmental Impact – Traditional mining and extraction methods contribute to pollution, deforestation, and water depletion.
- Ethical Sourcing – Many CRMs, such as cobalt, are often linked to human rights violations, making responsible sourcing a critical concern.
Recognising these risks, the EU has stepped up efforts to ensure a secure and sustainable CRM supply, introducing the Critical Raw Materials Act and forging strategic international partnerships, including a landmark agreement with Ukraine.
Ukraine is emerging as a crucial strategic partner in securing Europe’s raw material independence. Home to significant deposits of lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earths, the country holds untapped potential to diversify Europe’s CRM supply and reduce reliance on non-European sources.
The EU-Ukraine CRM partnership focuses on:
- Enhancing Europe’s resource security – Strengthening the resilience of supply chains through diversification.
- Fostering sustainable mining – Promoting responsible extraction practices that minimise environmental and social harm.
- Driving innovation in recycling – Supporting research on recovering CRMs from e-waste and industrial byproducts.
This can strengthen supply chain resilience, advance environmental and social responsibility in mining, and foster technological advancements that benefit Europe and Ukraine alike. This collaboration is poised to play a pivotal role in Europe’s raw materials strategy while contributing to Ukraine’s economic growth.
Aerial View of Southern Mining Factory, Mine Quarry in Ukraine
GoldenRAM: Advancing Sustainable Mining and CRM Supply
Aligned with these efforts GoldenRAM is working to transform CRM extraction, processing, and recycling. By integrating cutting-edge Earth Observation and AI technologies, GoldenRAM can contribute to enhancing resource efficiency and minimising environmental impacts, paving the way for a responsible and sustainable raw materials sector.
Aerial View of Rosia Poieni open pit copper mine, Romania
GoldenRAM focuses on key CRMs essential to Europe’s industrial future, including rare earth elements (REEs) for wind turbines and electric motors, lithium for battery technologies, cobalt and nickel for advanced battery chemistries, and copper for electrical wiring and power grids. These materials are integral to Europe’s green and digital ambitions, underscoring the need for responsible sourcing and efficient resource management.
Modern industry depends on mining for valuable rare-earth elements
To achieve this, GoldenRAM is pioneering eco-friendly mining approaches that reduce emissions, energy consumption, and water use. The project also prioritises advanced CRM recycling, extracting valuable materials from e-waste, industrial residues, and secondary sources to support a circular economy. Additionally, GoldenRAM ensures ethical and traceable supply chains, aligning with high environmental and social standards to promote responsible sourcing across Europe and beyond. This is achieved through a set of AI Knowledge Packs (AIKPs) to power its innovative approach to eco-friendly mining, CRM recycling, and responsible sourcing, transforming complex geospatial data into actionable insights that support sustainable, ethical, and efficient resource management.
Through its platform GoldenRAM enables the accurate exchange of curated information and knowledge across stakeholders in the raw materials industry. Within the project, the value of the platform will be demonstrated for specific use cases in different field trials, such as: in Finland (2 sites), Sweden, Romania, Portugal and the specially prepared information based on recently digitised and released documentation from Ukraine creating a compelling value proposition for implementation across the mining industry value chains and improving responsible and sustainable supply of CRMs. By advancing these innovations, GoldenRAM is fostering a more transparent, sustainable, and efficient CRM supply chain that aligns with Europe’s transition towards a greener, more self-sufficient future.
Shaping a Secure and Sustainable Future
The demand for CRMs will only continue to grow as Europe accelerates its digital and green transitions. GoldenRAM supports strategic initiatives such as the Critical Raw Materials Act, the EU-Ukraine CRM partnership, paving the way for a more resilient, ethical, and sustainable raw materials supply.
By investing in innovation, circular economy strategies, and responsible mining, Europe is not just securing access to critical materials, it is setting a global benchmark for sustainable resource management.
Follow GoldenRAM for updates on sustainable CRM solutions and the future of resource extraction.
Cover image: Raw Cobalt blue lapis lazuli stones