Potential Benefits and Constraints of Development of Critical Raw Materials’ Production in the EU: Analysis of Selected Case Studies

Major benefits and constraints related to mineral extraction within the EU have been identified on examples of selected critical raw materials’ deposits. Analyzed case studies include following ore deposits: Myszków Mo-W-Cu (Poland), Juomasuo Au-Co (Finland), S. Pedro das Águias W-Sn (Portugal), Penouta Nb-Ta-Sn (Spain), Norra Kärr REEs (Sweden) Trælen graphite (Norway). They represent different stages development, from early/grassroot exploration stage, through advanced active mining, up reopening abandoned mines, refer problems possibility exploitation commencement. The multi-criteria analysis cases has included geological economic factors as well environmental, land use, social acceptance infrastructure factors. These factors, in terms cost benefit analysis, considered at three levels: local, country levels. analyzed indicated major obstacles that occur deposit development need be overcome order enable a new are environmental (Juomasuo Myszków), spatial (Juomasuo) (Norra Kärr, Juomasuo). In cases, most important future primarily local level, while some mainly securing long-term supplies for national industries strategically industry sectors.