Although the Visegrád countries do not possess significant deposits of rare earth elements, they are increasingly looking for ways to strengthen their position in the European critical raw materials supply chain. The stakes are high – access to these resources will shape the future of electromobility, the defence industry and the green transition.
BY: ADAM RADOLIŃSKI, CSABAI MÁTÉ, KAROLÍNA LETTRICHOVÁ, LUCIA LAUKOVÁ
Each of the V4 countries has taken a different path. Hungary has focused on attracting foreign battery manufacturers, but without lasting benefits for the domestic industry. Czechia is placing great hopes on the lithium mining project in Cínovec, although its success depends on the development of the entire value chain. Slovakia is focusing on exploring and mapping its own resources, as well as recovering raw materials from former mining areas, while fearing marginalisation in EU projects. Poland, meanwhile, sees potential in recovering critical raw materials from mining waste and coal waste. Experts emphasise that despite their different strategies, all V4 countries face a similar challenge – without greater regional cooperation and more effective EU support, they may remain merely a support base for Western European industry.
