Here's a bit of a messy dump, where I'm confident there are some solid connections or joining of the dots... apologies for my lack of tech savviness (if links, layout etc are a dog's breakfast!).
The CRMA went into force on 23rd May and the door opened for strategic project applications. Here's a link to the application requirements for those interested -
https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/raw-materials/areas-specific-interest/critical-raw-materials/strategic-projects-under-crma/application-form_enSoon after TLG releases a "mining" report as part of an interim scoping study. It isolates the mine and technical + financial projections for a range of output up to 425k TPA of Talphite (not finished product as that is beyond the mine project). Commenting on the report, MP says the project is "a key alternative source of strategic raw materials to support the EU's ambitions and demand from key export markets"
It's fair to assume the report was used as part of TLG's application for strategic project status.
Then yesterday Talga had a visitor (article courtesy of our legend sleuth from another place!).
The head of research from the US Departmentof Homeland Security visited Talga in Luleå on Wednesday toreview the technology available in Norrbotten - and how it can be protected.
Sweden's entry into NATO has changed the view of howindustries should be protected in the future. Heavy authorities - both inSweden and the USA - now have their eyes on the industrial boom in the north.
https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/norrbotten/sa-paverkar-nato-intradet-industriboomen-i-norr-maste-skydda-vara-intressen (majority behind a paywall)
We can safely assume the US are a "key export market" as per MP's comments.Their demand helps underpin the numbers in the mining report.
And to go full circle back to the strategic project status, I found a recent summary from the EU outlining their expectations on the how why and what of the CRMA, and importantly some strong wording re strategic projects (yes theory and action are not yet unified!).
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2023/747898/EPRS_BRI(2023)747898_EN.pdf
I like this bit… "Strategicprojects would have to be treated in the most rapid way possible in accordancewith EU and national law (article 9). Strategic projects in the EU would haveto be granted the status of the highest national significance possible, and betreated accordingly in the permit-granting processes. All dispute resolutionprocedures, litigation, appeals and judicial remedies relating to thepermitgranting process and the issuance of permits for strategic projects inthe EU before any national courts, tribunals, panels, including mediation orarbitration, would have to be treated as urgent."
Cheers!
(20min delay)