Poland launches 186 million PLN program to search for critical raw materials

The Polish government has adopted the ‘National Critical Raw Materials Search Program’ to enhance resource security. Between 2026 and 2033, approximately 185.7 million PLN will be allocated to the Polish Geological Institute to conduct nationwide geological, geochemical, and geophysical research, including drilling, to identify 34 critical raw materials recognized by the European Union.

The search will follow a priority hierarchy. Primary focus will be placed on copper, coking coal, platinum group metals, graphite, phosphorites, barite, fluorite, and feldspathic minerals. Secondary priorities include nickel, cobalt, arsenic, bismuth, bauxite, silicon, and strontium.

This initiative coincides with the Future Mining Forum & Expo in Katowice, which addresses the shifting global landscape of mining. As geopolitical tensions rise, the debate has shifted from reducing extraction to securing the materials essential for modern technologies, including electric vehicles, renewable energy, medical equipment, and defense systems. The program aims to reduce Europe's dependence on imports and mitigate risks associated with global supply chain disruptions.