European Metals

USD 36 Million Just Transition Fund Grant Approved for Cinovec Project

European Metals Holdings Limited (ASX & AIM: EMH, OTCQX: EMHXY, ERPNF and EMHLF) (“European Metals” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the following update in relation to grant funding by the European Union for the Cinovec Project (“Cinovec” or “the Project”).


Highlights

  • Czech selection panel of the managing authority for the EU Just Transition Fund (“JTF”) has approved a CZK 800 million (US$ 36 million) grant to the Cinovec Project.
  • JTF grant is conditional on the Project Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) being submitted by 31st December 2025 and approval of the EIA by the Czech Ministry of Environment by 30th June 2026.
  • The Cinovec Project is a Strategic Project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (“CRMA”).
  • Cinovec mineral deposit is designated a Strategic Deposit by the Czech government for the purposes of the Czech Construction Code.

Just Transition Fund

Further to the Project being declared a “Strategic Project” under the (refer to the Company’s ASX/AIM releases dated 26/25 March 2025) (“Cinovec Declared a Strategic Project Under EU Critical Raw Materials Act”), the final approval of financial support for the Project under the JTF represents a further important confirmation of support from European and Czech institutions.

The terms and conditions of the JTF grant will be detailed in the contract between the grant provider (Czech Ministry of Environment) and the beneficiary, the Cinovec Project holding company, Geomet s.r.o.

The contract will detail milestones, including the EIA and construction permitting timetable, as well as the conditions for advance payments and reimbursement of costs incurred by the beneficiary. The conditions will also include how the Project's progress will be reported to the Czech Ministry of Environment which is the managing authority for JTF projects.

Keith Coughlan, Executive Chairman, commented:“We welcome this final confirmation of the significant JTF grant. The grant funding will be utilised to fast track a number of critical path items with regards to the Cinovec Project. This confirmation builds on recent project momentum, and is another clear indicator of the support the European Union and the Czech government is willing to provide to assist in getting Cinovec into production in the timeliest manner possible.”

Strategic Project Status

The declaration of the Cinovec Project as a Strategic Project under the CRMA represents confirmation of the advanced stage of development of the Project. The Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”) for the Project is progressing towards completion in mid-2025, with the EIA to be completed and submitted for approval by the end of 2025. It is expected that the Czech Ministry of Environment will approve the EIA by mid-2026, with final construction permitting expected to follow within the required time frame of 24 months as set out in CRMA.

Being named a Strategic Project means that the project is considered highly important for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials in Europe. Such projects must have a credible timeframe and production volumes and have to be implemented with the highest ESG credentials. These projects are essential for the green and digital transition, as well as for the resilience of the defence and aerospace sectors. The Cinovec Project, comprising of the largest hard rock lithium resource in the EU by far, is vital to achieve the EU’s objectives on Climate Change.


Click here for the full ASX Release

This article includes content from European Metals, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.

EMH:AU
The Conversation (0)
Electric vehicle charging with blue background.

Market Pain, Strategic Gain: Pilbara Minerals' Dale Henderson on Today's Lithium Paradox

“(Lithium) is not for the faint-hearted. It demands resilience, foresight and leadership,” said Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS,OTC Pink:PILBF) Managing Director and CEO Dale Henderson.

He was speaking at Fastmarkets’ Lithium Supply & Battery Raw Materials Conference, held this week in Las Vegas.

Henderson touched on three main points: current lithium market dynamics, how Pilbara Minerals is navigating the lithium landscape and his recommendations for the global lithium industry.

Keep reading...Show less
Glowing battery with green zigzag on a futuristic circuit board background.

Fastmarkets’ 2025 Lithium Conference to Tackle EV Growth, Battery Supply Chains and Market Outlook

Fastmarkets is set to host its 17th Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference.

Scheduled to run from June 23 to 26 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the event will bring together global industry leaders to explore key topics shaping the future of the battery supply chain.

Discussions will cover lithium extraction technologies, including direct lithium extraction, as well as advances in processing, refining and recycling. More broadly, market outlooks, pricing trends and investment strategies will be analyzed alongside evolving ESG standards, policy impacts and risk management approaches.

Keep reading...Show less
Gina Rinehart, executive chair of Hancock Prospecting, stands in front of cherry blossom trees.

Inside Billionaire Gina Rinehart's Key Mining Investments

Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart has become a formidable force in the global mining industry.

After taking the helm of her father’s iron ore firm Hancock Prospecting in 1993, she embarked upon a diversification strategy that has vastly expanded her resource empire. Now Australia’s richest person, Rinehart has investments in many of the world’s most strategic commodities such as lithium, rare earths, copper, potash and natural gas.

One of those investments is Arafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU,OTC Pink:ARAFF), which even in a low price environment for rare earths managed to secure nearly AU$1.5 billion in debt financing in mid-2024 to advance its Nolans project in the Northern Territory. With a 10 percent equity stake, Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting is Arafura's largest shareholder.

Keep reading...Show less
Lithium Africa CEO Tyron Breytenbach.

Lithium Africa CEO Makes Case for Lithium Investing Amid Bear Market

The CEO of Lithium Africa is making a case for investing in lithium during the current bear market, saying recent moves by major players such as Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) indicate confidence in the market's longer-term potential.

“(Rio Tinto) is the second biggest miner of commodities on the planet. And late last year, they did the Arcadium Lithium transaction, which is the second largest transaction in corporate history, and they've picked lithium," Tyron Breytenbach said during an interview with the Investing News Network.

"Shortly after that, they followed on with a big, multibillion-dollar investment in Chile. Again, the commodity they picked was lithium."

Keep reading...Show less
Truck with drill rig at sunset in a dry, grassy landscape.

Rock Bottom: Strategic Window for Ground-level Lithium Investment in 2025

When lithium prices hit bottom, savvy investors know that’s exactly where the next big discovery begins — literally. Beneath the surface of global markets and remote exploration grounds, new opportunities are forming in the wake of a sharp price reset and renewed geopolitical urgency.

Macroeconomic and policy shifts in 2025 are creating ideal conditions for those willing to look past the headlines. While volatility in lithium prices has tempered short-term sentiment, the underlying demand trajectory remains strong. With governments reshaping supply chains to reduce reliance on China and accelerate the energy transition, lithium is emerging not only as a critical resource, but as a strategic investment theme with long-term upside.

For investors, this reset isn’t a retreat; it’s a rare chance to get in early, at ground level.

Keep reading...Show less

Latest Press Releases

Related News

×