Press Release: Report forecasts shortages of 14 critical mineral raw materials

Raw materials are an essential part of both high tech products and every-day consumer products, such as mobile phones, thin layer photovoltaics, Lithium-ion batteries, fibre optic cable, synthetic fuels, among others. But their availability is increasingly under pressure according to a report published on 17 June 2010 by an expert group chaired by the European Commission. In this first ever overview on the state of access to raw materials in the EU, the experts label a selection of 14 raw materials as 'critical' out of 41 minerals and metals analysed. The growing demand for raw materials is driven by the growth of developing economies and new emerging technologies. The list was established in the framework of the 2008 EU Raw Materials Initiative in close cooperation with Member States and stakeholders. The results of the report will be used for the drafting of a forthcoming communication on strategies to ensure access to raw materials which the Commission will publish in autumn 2010.

European Commission: Memo: MEMO/10/263:Report lists 14 critical mineral raw materials http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/263&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

EurActiv, 26.1.11: EU considers tough stance on raw materials http://www.euractiv.com/sustainability/eu-considers-tough-stance-raw-ma-news-501587

European Commission; DG Enterprise and Industry: Policies: Raw materials http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/raw-materials/index_en.htm

European Commission: DG Environment: Sustainable development: Sustainable Use of Natural Resources http://ec.europa.eu/environment/natres/index.htm

EUObserver, 25.1.11: EU pulls raw materials paper amid squabbling over commodity speculation http://euobserver.com/9/31698

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