Critical raw materials (CRMs) are raw materials of high economic importance for the EU, with a high risk of supply disruption due to their concentration of sources and lack of good, affordable substitutes. More detailed information on CRM can be found here.

This platform presents the current status of CRM (Critical Raw Materials) resources that can be obtained from Hard Metal Scraps collected in Europe. The information is collected on a country base and represented in UNFC forma and mainly used as in input to RESQTOOL, which is an EU funded Project (Project No: 101138144 — HORIZON-CL4-2023-RESILIENCE-01-05). Please refer to www.resqtool.eu for more information.

WHAT IS UNFC?

UNFC format (United Nations Framework Classification for Resources) is a principles-based system in which the products of a resource project are classified on the basis of the three fundamental criteria of environmental-socio-economic viability (E), technical feasibility (F), and degree of confidence in the estimate (G), using a numerical coding system.

The first set of Categories (the E axis) designates the degree of favourability of environmental-socio-economic, conditions in establishing the viability of the project, including consideration of market prices and relevant legal, regulatory, social, environmental and contractual conditions. The second set (the F axis) designates the maturity of technology, studies and commitments necessary to implement the project. These projects range from early conceptual studies through to a fully developed project that is producing, and reflect standard value chain management principles. The third set of categories (the G axis) designates the degree of confidence in the estimate of the quantities of products from the project.

Definition of E-axis categories.

E1: Recovery and sale has been confirmed to be economically viable.

Recovery and sale is economic on the basis of current market conditions and realistic assumptions of future market conditions. All necessary approvals/ contracts have been confirmed, or there are reasonable expectations that all such approvals/contracts will be obtained within a reasonable timeframe. Economic viability is not affected by short-term adverse market conditions provided that longer-term forecasts remain positive.

E2: Recovery and sale is expected to become economically viable in the foreseeable future.

Recovery and sale has not yet been confirmed to be economic but, on the basis of realistic assumptions of future market conditions, there are reasonable prospects for economic recovery and sale in the foreseeable future.

E3: Recovery and sale is not expected to become economically viable in the foreseeable future or evaluation is at too early a stage to determine economic viability.

On the basis of realistic assumptions of future market conditions, it is currently considered that there are not reasonable prospects for economic recovery and sale in the foreseeable future; or, economic viability of recovery cannot yet be determined due to insufficient information (e.g. during the assessment phase). Also included are quantities that are forecast to be converted, but which will not be available for sale.

Definition of F-axis categories.

F1: Feasibility of recovery by a defined development project or mining operation has been confirmed.

Recovery is currently taking place; or, implementation of the development project is underway; or, sufficiently detailed studies have been completed to demonstrate the feasibility of recovery by implementing a development project or mining operation.

F2: Feasibility of recovery by a defined development project or mining operation is subject to further evaluation.

Preliminary studies demonstrate the existence of a project in such form, quality and quantity that the feasibility of recovery by a defined (at least in broad terms) development project or mining operation can be evaluated. Further data acquisition and/or studies may be required to confirm the feasibility of recovery.

F3: Feasibility of recovery by a defined development project or mining operation cannot be evaluated due to limited technical data.

Very preliminary studies (e.g. during the assessment phase), which may be based on a defined (at least in conceptual terms) development project or mining operation, indicate the need for further data acquisition in order to confirm the existence of a project in such form, quality and quantity that the feasibility of production can be evaluated.

F4: No development project or mining operation has been identified.

In situ (in-place) quantities that will not be produced by any current development project or mining operation.

Definition of G-axis categories.

The G Axis reflects the level of confidence in the potential retrievability of the quantities. Thus, the G axis categories are intended to reflect all significant uncertainties impacting the estimated Anthropogenic Material quantities and typically would include (but not be limited to) areas such as characterization of Anthropogenic Materials and analysis of Anthropogenic Material Systems.

Uncertainties include both variability in the Anthropogenic Material Source (e.g. composition, quantity) and the efficiency of the sourcing process (re-use, preparation for reuse, recycling and recovery).

For in situ (in-place) quantities, and for recoverable estimates of Fossil Energy and Mineral Resources that are extracted as solids, quantities are typically categorized discretely, where each discrete estimate reflects the level of geological knowledge and confidence associated with a specific part of the deposit. The estimates are categorized as G1, G2 and/or G3 as appropriate.

G1: Quantities associated with a known deposit that can be estimated with a high level of confidence.

G2: Quantities associated with a known deposit that can be estimated with a moderate level of confidence.

G3: Quantities associated with a known deposit that can be estimated with a low level of confidence.

G4: Estimated quantities associated with a potential deposit, based primarily on indirect evidence.

PRIMARY CLASSES OF UNFC

The Categories and Sub-categories are the building blocks of the system, and are combined in the form of “Classes”. A Class is uniquely defined by selecting from each of the three criteria a particular combination of a Category or a Sub-category (or groups of Categories/Sub-categories). Since the codes are always quoted in the same sequence (i.e. E; F; G), the letters may be dropped and just the numbers retained. The total product available for development, or on production, is classified at a given date. Quantification of the product may require consideration of the project lifetime/limit (such as for renewable energy projects). Classification is done in terms of the following:

a) Produced quantities that have been sold or used. This would include direct domestic use of a solar home installation, or non-sales domestic supply of a product to a local market.

b) Produced quantities which are unused or have been consumed in operations.

c) Quantities of a known product that may be produced in the future. Technical and environmental-socioeconomic evaluation studies based on projects constitute the basis for the classification.

d) Remaining quantities of product not developed by any project.

e) Quantities of a product that may be produced in the future from prospective projects. Technical and environmental-socio-economic evaluation studies based on prospective projects constitute the basis for the classification.

f) Remaining quantities of product not developed by any prospective project.

CRM Resources from HardMetal Scrap over Europe

United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC)