This Week in Mining — Brussels (#11, 2026)
Commission approves €500m Luxembourg cleantech aid; Parliament adopts water policy amendments; New public procurement rules for net-zero tech; Anti-dumping update on graphite electrodes.
March 22, 2026 to March 28, 2026
Commission approves €500m Luxembourg cleantech aid; Parliament adopts water policy amendments; New public procurement rules for net-zero tech; Anti-dumping update on graphite electrodes.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission approves €500 million Luxembourgish cleantech manufacturing capacity State aid scheme
On 26 March 2026, the European Commission approved a €500 million Luxembourgish scheme to support strategic investments in clean technology manufacturing capacity, under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted on 25 June 2025. The scheme aims to provide direct grants for investments in the production and recycling of critical raw materials and components for clean technologies, such as solar, wind, heat pumps, and batteries. The measure is open to companies throughout Luxembourg, with aid available until 31 December 2030. The Commission found the scheme in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the conditions of CISAF, noting its role in accelerating the net-zero transition. The non-confidential version of the decision will be published under case number SA.120921 in the State aid register. Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera described this as the first CISAF scheme for a small Member State.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/718: Environmental sustainability requirements for public procurement of net-zero technologies
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/718 of 20 March 2026, published on 23 March 2026, sets minimum environmental sustainability requirements for public procurement of certain net-zero technologies under Regulation (EU) 2024/1735. The rules specify a 70% recyclability rate for wind turbine blades in onshore and offshore wind projects, with assessment based on EN 45555:2019. The Regulation enters into force 20 days after publication and applies to procurement procedures launched from 30 June 2026.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/704: Amendment to anti-dumping duties on imports of graphite electrode systems from China
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/704 of 23 March 2026 amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/558 regarding anti-dumping duties on imports of certain graphite electrode systems from China. Following an internal restructuring of Liaoning Dantan Group, the duty rate and related TARIC code for Liaoning Dantan Technology Group Co., Ltd. are removed, and imports by Liaoning Dantan New Materials Co., Ltd. are subject to the duty for other cooperating companies. The amendment takes effect the day after publication.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/665: Updated technical specifications for industrial production statistics
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/665 of 4 March 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2022/2552, updating the technical specifications for industrial production statistics and the classification of industrial products. The changes align production statistics with external trade statistics and the CPA nomenclature. This regulation applies to data transmissions for periods from 1 January 2025 and enters into force 20 days after publication.
European Parliament
Parliament adopts recommendation for second reading on water policy directives
On 26 March 2026, the European Parliament held a second reading vote on the Council position regarding amendments to Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive), Directive 2006/118/EC (Groundwater Directive), and Directive 2008/105/EC (Environmental Quality Standards Directive). Rapporteur Javi López (A10-0063/2026) led the recommendation, which addresses updates to pollutant controls in surface and groundwater, relevant for mining sector compliance.
EP Committee Work
ITRE Committee debates raw materials, clean tech, and nuclear programmes
At its ordinary meeting on 23-24 March 2026, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) discussed the transition away from Russian energy, reporting on the committee mission to Chile focusing on critical raw materials, and considered the safety, resilience, and sustainability of space activities. The committee also reviewed draft reports on the Ignalina nuclear decommissioning programme (rapporteur: Virginijus Sinkevičius, Verts/ALE) and the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation and Decommissioning (rapporteur: Sophie Wilmès, Renew), as well as the future Horizon Europe programme (rapporteurs: Christian Ehler, PPE, and René Repasi, S&D).
What We're Reading This Week
- South Korea, Germany exposed to rare earths shortage, Australia's Arafura says: Australia’s Arafura highlights growing supply risks for South Korea and Germany amid tightening global rare earths markets.
- EU speeds up free trade with Mercosur treaty and new Australia agreement: EU accelerates global economic ties by fast-tracking a Mercosur trade deal and finalizing a new agreement with Australia.
