Context
A secure supply of mineral raw materials for the European industry is paramount to ensure Europe’s economic sustainability and to enhance the quality of life of European citizens. However, in the last decade, a structural change has taken place in global mineral markets. The old standing – 20 percent of the world population in Europe, USA and Japan consuming more than 80 percent of the total minerals production – is no longer valid. With the integration of India, China and other populous emerging countries, such as Brazil and Russia, into the world economy, more than half of the world’s population is increasing their share of global raw materials. Therefore, the global demand for raw materials is on the rise and, because Europe is strongly dependent on imports of mineral raw materials, safeguarding fair trade and Europe’s minerals supply is a growing challenge in a landscape populated by new competitors.
Project objectives
The INTRAW project ran over 36 months from 01 February 2015 to 31 January 2018. INTRAW mapped and developed new cooperation opportunities for the EU related to mineral raw materials in Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa and the United States, addressing:
• Research and innovation;
• Policies and strategies;
• Joint educational and skills programmes;
• Licensing and permitting procedures, royalties and tax policies;
• Data reporting systems;
• Exploration, extraction, processing and recycling practices;
• Management and substitution of critical raw materials.
The outcome of the mapping and knowledge transfer activities was used to develop and launch the International Raw Materials Observatory, an international non-profit association, registered in Belgium in September 2017. The mission of the Observatory is «to support international cooperation on mineral raw materials’ research & innovation, education & outreach, industry & trade and recycling, management & substitution of strategic raw materials».
The Observatory is a self-sustained organisation, having a clear strategy and management approach that embraces specialisation around in-depth knowledge of the materials value chain, access to policy-makers and high-quality reputation and credibility. To ensure its feasibility, the Observatory offers services to members and the marketplace. Its Unique Selling Proposition states that «the International Raw Materials Observatory is a not for profit independent, honest broker, providing authoritative specialised support on raw materials cooperation, diplomacy and foresight».
