This Week in Mining — Brussels (#22, 2026)
Commission launches Battery Booster Facility; new funding for battery ramp-up; Parliament examines Research Fund for Coal and Steel protocols.
June 07, 2026 to June 13, 2026
Commission launches Battery Booster Facility; new funding for battery ramp-up; Parliament examines Research Fund for Coal and Steel protocols.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
European Commission
EU and Republic of Korea Deepen Strategic Partnership: Supply Chains, Energy, and Research Addressed
On 9 June 2026, the European Union and the Republic of Korea convened their 11th Summit in Brussels, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Council President António Costa, and President Lee Jae-Myung of Korea in attendance. The leaders agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership, focusing on economic resilience, security, research cooperation, and the clean energy transition. A new High-Level Energy Dialogue was launched, intended to reinforce coordination on energy security and economic resilience. The Summit outcomes also included the launch of a Competitiveness Partnership and a High-Level Economic Dialogue addressing critical supply chains and industrial policy. Both parties signed a Digital Trade Agreement and welcomed further negotiations on the Mutual Recognition Agreement covering conformity assessments. President von der Leyen described the evolving partnership as an instrument for driving innovation and securing economic interests.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/1283: Battery Booster Facility Established
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/1283, adopted 9 June 2026 (CELEX: 32026D1283), establishes the Battery Booster Facility, a financing initiative supported by the Innovation Fund. The Facility allocates up to EUR 1.5 billion in interest-free loans dedicated to battery cell manufacturing projects for electric vehicles in the ramp-up phase within the EEA. Eligibility criteria for support focus on projects' technical and financial maturity, with prioritisation given to first full commercial scale production projects and compliance with environmental standards. The support scheme aims to reinforce Europe's battery value chain and is governed by rules set under the Net Zero Industry Act (EU) 2024/1735.
EP Committee Work
Budgets Committee: Recommendation on ECSC Treaty Protocol and Research Fund for Coal and Steel
On 8 June 2026, the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) presented a recommendation on the draft Council decision regarding the implementation of Protocol No 37, which addresses the financial consequences following the expiry of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) Treaty. The document, drafted by rapporteur Johan VAN OVERTVELDT, examines measures for the continued functioning of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and repeals Council Decision No 2003/76/EC. The report is set for further committee discussion and subsequent plenary consideration.
