Critical raw materials • Table.Briefings

February 14th, 2026

Critical minerals: How the EU and Africa aim to achieve a more equal footing in value creation

What opportunities and challenges exist for cooperation in the raw materials sector with partners in the so-called Global South?

By Markus Bickel

Feature | Mining

February 13th, 2026

Mining: Why a new ESG standard is controversial

A voluntary ESG standard promoted by the mining industry aims to streamline the fragmented landscape of certification schemes. However, NGOs argue that it remains too vague. They also criticize the insufficient involvement of affected communities in projects.

By Alex Veit

News | Critical raw materials

February 6th, 2026

Critical minerals: US companies targeting the DR Congo

At the Critical Minerals Summit, US companies are moving to establish a foothold in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, targeting major copper and cobalt projects with backing from the Trump administration.

By Arne Schütte

Talk of the Town | Diplomacy

February 5th, 2026

Australia: The chances of the next free trade agreement

Under the pressure of geopolitical upheavals, Germany and Australia are deepening their partnership. In Canberra, Federal Foreign Minister Wadephul spoke of the Indo-Pacific as the “world’s growth engine.” A trade agreement with the EU could be in place as early as mid-February.

By Angela Köckritz

February 4, 2026, Washington Dc, Virginia, USA: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a news conference during the first Critical Minerals Ministerial at the State Department s Harry S. Truman Building in Washington, DC, USA, on February 04, 2026. About 50 countries attended the ministerial, a gathering to discuss the creation of tech supply chain partnerships that can bypass China. The United States has been looking for alternative sources for rare earth minerals since Beijing cut the U.S. off from its supply last year.

News | Critical raw materials

February 4th, 2026

Critical minerals: Washington summit takes aim at China

Just weeks after Donald Trump unsettled allies with his plans for Greenland, the United States is once again emphasizing multilateral cooperation. This time, the focus is on securing global access to critical raw materials.

By Katharina Kort

Christoph Bufe, industrial mechanic, inspects a stack on the day of the inauguration of an electrolysis competence centre at Andritz Schuler GmbH. A state-of-the-art assembly plant for electrolyser stacks has been built at the industrial site in Erfurt, which is over 100 years old. Electrolysers are crucial for the production of green hydrogen.

Feature | Critical raw materials

February 3rd, 2026

Raw materials: Auditors warn of bottlenecks for the energy transition

According to the European Court of Auditors, the EU has made little progress toward independence in critical raw materials, raising doubts about whether new agreements with alternative supplier countries will deliver.

By Manuel Berkel

News | Critical raw materials

February 3rd, 2026

Critical raw materials: Africa on the agenda at the US summit

Ministers from around 20 countries to discuss a strategic alliance at a raw materials summit in Washington. Some African countries are also in the spotlight.

By Arne Schütte

News | Critical raw materials

February 3rd, 2026

Raw materials: EU auditors warn of bottlenecks for energy transition

EU auditors criticize the Union for failing to improve the supply of critical raw materials despite new trade agreements. Recycling remains limited, and many processing plants have been shut down.

By Manuel Berkel

News | Critical raw materials

February 2nd, 2026

Raw materials: EU auditors warn of bottlenecks for the energy transition

The European Court of Auditors believes that the EU's efforts to achieve greater independence regarding critical raw materials, including from China, have so far been largely ineffective. The latest agreements with alternative supplier countries should be put to the test.

By Manuel Berkel

Talk of the Town | Economic security

February 1st, 2026

Diplomacy: Wadephul travels to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific

In six days, Germany’s foreign minister will visit Singapore, New Zealand, Tonga, Australia and Brunei. A major role will also be played by a country that is not on the itinerary at all: China.

By Angela Köckritz