EU-Funded RAWMINA Project Successfully Tests Pilot Plant

A multi-year, EU-funded project has successfully concluded with the completion of a pilot plant capable of extracting up to 95% of cobalt, 75% of antimony, more than 90% of tungsten, and up to 100% iron recovery from mine waste. The RAWMINA project aimed to revolutionize the production of raw materials within the EU by harnessing the potential of mine waste resources.

The pilot plant, demonstrated at Cobre Las Cruces in Spain, uses a combination of approaches, including bioleaching, iron precipitation, and copper precipitation, to transform mining waste into valuable resources. The project has achieved significant milestones in the recovery of Critical Raw Materials from mine waste, with a strong focus on sustainability and circular economy principles.

The success of the RAWMINA project contributes to the EU’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness, positioning Europe at the forefront of sustainable raw material production and circular industrial transformation. The project strengthens EU resource security by reducing import dependency and supporting resilient supply chains for technology and green transition.