Poland critical raw materials exploration program

The Polish government has launched the National Critical Raw Materials Exploration Program (KPPSK), a multi-year initiative running from 2026 to 2033. With a budget of approximately 185.7 million PLN, the program tasks the Polish Geological Institute with conducting nationwide geological, geochemical, and geophysical research, including drilling, to identify 34 critical raw materials recognized by the European Union.

Aligned with the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act, the initiative aims to reduce dependence on third-party countries and mitigate supply chain risks for strategic sectors such as defense, renewable energy, medical equipment, and electric vehicles. The search follows a priority hierarchy. Primary targets include copper, platinum group metals, graphite, coking coal, phosphorites, barite, fluorite, and feldspathic minerals. Secondary priorities include nickel, cobalt, arsenic, bismuth, bauxite, silicon, and strontium.

To support these efforts, the Ministry of Climate and Environment is preparing a draft law to ensure access to critical raw materials, with plans for government adoption in the third quarter of 2026. This legislation is intended to organize the legal framework for new deposits and update the National Raw Materials Policy. Officials noted that while Poland already produces materials such as copper, helium, and coal, new mining projects face challenges regarding environmental restrictions and social acceptance. Consequently, the government is also targeting the extraction of materials essential for the energy transition, such as nickel, tungsten, titanium, and vanadium.