ObjectivesThe aim of WP4 “Innovative Processing” is to elaborate how innovations in mineral and metallurgical processing are generated or taken up in different EU Member States and on EU‐level and how this is either facilitated or inhibited by policies and legislation on national or European level. The purpose oft he deliverable 4.3 is to complement the findings of D4.1 and D4.2 by carrying out additional interviews with representatives from different stakeholder groups (academia, industry, NGO’s and policymakers). The topics and questions of the questionnaire addressed the respondents’ perception of national and EU‐ and EU MS level mineral policies, gaps and needs with respect to innovation in mineral‐ and metallurgical processing. Questions for the questionnaire focus on previously identified innovations in mineral processing, metallurgical processing and metal recycling. Based on the input both from previous deliverables and from findings through the additional interviews and innovation cases, an analysis of needs and gaps as well as a SWOT analysis has been conducted. Recommendations for future development of mineral and metallurgical processing sector were evaluated.

Main FindingsConclusions and recommendations for future policy development for innovation in mineral and metallurgical processing were developed based on a survey and a SWOT analysis.

• Most of the mineral policies are addressing the entire mineral value chain. Several statutory provisions are related to mineral and metallurgical processing. National mineral policies are not very much addressing the mineral and metallurgical processing, while recycling is dislocated from mining/mineral legislation.
• The sentiment amongst policy makers towards the raw materials industry has improved on EU level through a number of strategic policy initiatives (e.g. the Strategic Implementation Plan for Raw materials, the revised EU Industrial Policy Strategy, the Raw Materials Initiative).
• The use of raw materials from secondary sources has been identified as being an integral part of the life cycle of materials.
• Innovations in mineral and metallurgical processing are not supported at strategic and economic/investment level. The policy is neutral or inhibiting through long and uncertain permitting procedure, or is indifferent to innovation as to mineral and metallurgical processing.
• The European knowledge and skills base in mineral and metallurgical processing has diminished during the past 20 years.