Albania is developing a strategy for critical raw materials in an effort to identify and assess its national resources.
In the strategy for the development of the mining sector, the government underlines that the EIT Raw Materials Regional Innovation Centre is leading the process for drafting this document in cooperation with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, the National Agency of Natural Resources (AKBN) and the Albanian Geological Survey (SHGJSH) and constitutes one of the most important strategic initiatives of the decade. “The document aims to identify, analyse and assess national resources of CRMs, including base metals, ferrometals and rare earths that are of particular importance for green transition technologies, renewable energy, defence and the digital industry.
The “Roadmap” serves as a 17th long-term planning instrument for the sustainable development of the national value chain, from exploration and extraction, to processing, recycling and industrial integration, ensuring alignment with the objectives of the European Critical Raw Materials Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1252),” the strategy states.
Earlier, a study by the European Training Foundation, part of the European Union, analysed the capacities of countries regarding raw materials as a form of coordination and guarantee for Europe and the development of the industry. Regarding Albania, the study drew attention to the fact that Albania produces some of the critical raw materials, first of all, cobalt, which is found in the mining areas of Pogradec.
This material is of particular importance for lithium batteries, that are an important part of electric cars and smart phones. Secondly, it is copper, with reserves in the Lezha and Kukes areas. Copper is of particular importance for a series of sectors, from energy to construction.
The third is feldspar, which in Albania is found in the Shkodra area and is of importance for the ceramics, porcelain, and paint sectors. Another material is Nickel, which in Albania is found in Kukes, Devoll, Çervenaka, Perrenjas, and Librazhd as class C deposits and a class B deposit in Devoll.
Albania is rich in minerals, especially chromium, copper, iron-nickel, coal, and industrial minerals like gypsum, limestone, and clays, with significant reserves historically exploited for the economy, particularly chrome in regions like Mirdita and Bulqiza, and copper in Mirdita.