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European Union

The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states located primarily in Europe. Established by the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, it evolved from earlier European communities founded in the 1950s to promote economic cooperation and prevent conflict. The EU operates through a hybrid system of supranational and intergovernmental decision-making, with key institutions including the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Court of Justice. Member states have created a single market through a standardised system of laws that apply across all members, ensuring the free movement of people, goods, services and capital. Nineteen member states have adopted the euro as their common currency, forming the eurozone. The EU maintains common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries and regional development, and has developed a role in foreign policy and security matters. With a combined population of about 450-million and a GDP exceeding €15-trillion, the EU represents one of the world's largest economic blocs. The union has been expanding its focus on climate policy, digital transformation and strategic autonomy, particularly in critical minerals and technology supply chains essential for the energy transition. The EU's regulatory frameworks, including those governing environmental standards and competition, exert significant influence on global business practices. Membership has fluctuated, most notably with the United Kingdom's departure in 2020.

European Union News


EU flag
Six countries want EU talks in September on taxing windfall profits of oil companies
24th August 2026 By: Reuters

Six European Union countries want the 27-nation EU to discuss in September a mechanism to tax windfall profits of oil companies triggered by Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a letter by... 


Norway Energy Minister Terje Aasland
Norway will drill in Arctic regardless of EU's position, says energy minister
24th August 2026 By: Reuters

Norway will continue developing its oil and gas resources in the Barents Sea regardless of the European Union's support for a moratorium on Arctic hydrocarbon supplies, and no longer sees itself as... 


Global challenges, local opportunities: IMARC 2026 puts strategy into action as global mining leaders commit to Australia’s biggest mining conference
Global challenges, local opportunities: IMARC 2026 puts strategy into action as global mining leaders commit to Australia’s biggest mining conference
17th August 2026

Geopolitical instability, the race to secure critical minerals supply chains, rising demand for key resources and the rapid deployment of AI are reshaping the global mining industry – and putting a... 


Magazine cover image
Extended producer responsibility compliance spotlighted as SA looks to grow circular economy
14th August 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

With waste generation increasing and landfill space becoming increasingly limited in South Africa, alongside growing global regulatory requirements, local producers are facing mounting pressure to... 


Climate compliance has just stopped being a paperwork exercise
Climate compliance has just stopped being a paperwork exercise
13th August 2026

(Virtual Showroom) For the past decade, climate compliance in South African industry has been seen as a box-ticking exercise with only the Tier 1 companies going above and beyond what is required... 


A Boliden zinc mine
Sweden gives go-ahead to Boliden copper mine project
12th August 2026 By: Reuters

The Swedish government said on Wednesday it has given Boliden the green light to proceed with the company's copper mine project in Laver, northern Sweden. Project still needs approval from... 


LOcation map of the Sakatti project
Sakatti copper and polymetallic project, Finland – update
7th August 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Prefeasibility studies are ongoing. 


Critical minerals
Mining sector not as badly affected by Middle East conflict as first thought, but risks remain
4th August 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Following the release of its mid-year review, global energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac) has highlighted how contained the damage has been in the global mining and metals markets amid... 


LKAB Kiruna mine, in Sweden
Sweden declares mining national security interest to counter dependence on China
24th July 2026 By: Reuters

Sweden's government declared mining of critical metals and rare earth minerals a national security interest on Thursday, saying a new mining strategy was needed to counter the dependence on China.... 


A generic image of a coal mine
Council for Geoscience, Netherlands counterpart sign MoU to boost critical minerals development
24th July 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Geoscientific research institutes the Council for Geoscience (CGS) and the Geological Survey of the Netherlands (TNO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance integrated... 


HÉRA MPONDO 
Every tonne that moves from the informal to the formal economy is revenue for the State, bargaining power for communities and derisked supply for offtakers
Central Africa must embrace three key drivers, advisory finds
24th July 2026

Central Africa has entered a decisive phase in the global competition for critical minerals – one in which market access will increasingly be earned through three drivers: namely traceability,... 


Illegally mined gold
EU announces restrictions on trading Sudanese gold
13th July 2026 By: Reuters

The EU announced on Monday new sanctions against Sudan by targeting the country's gold trade, which it said was being used to finance the military conflict in the country. "The decision introduces... 


Russian LNG seaport
EU imports record LNG volumes from Russia's biggest plant ahead of ban
13th July 2026 By: Reuters

European Union countries imported record-high volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Yamal facility in the first half of this year, EU data showed on Monday, ahead of a ban on Russian... 


The cranes at the Lobito Port in Angola
Corridor makes significant progress
10th July 2026 By: Halima Frost

The development and use of the Lobito Corridor – a multimodal logistics corridor that spans Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia – has progressed significantly over the past 12... 


Steel
Half of Ukraine's steel output at risk over new EU trade regulations
9th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Geospatial intelligence company Earth-i says Ukraine's steel production activity has receded from its January highs and is now tracking 18% lower in the year to June 30, compared with the same... 


Norsk Hydro's Slovalco joint venture aluminium smelting plant, in Slovakia
Norsk Hydro's Slovak aluminium smelter to partially restart production
1st July 2026 By: Reuters

Norsk Hydro said on Wednesday its Slovalco aluminium joint venture had struck an agreement with the Slovak government to partially restart production after a four-year shutdown, with the deal... 


Penouta mine, in Spain
ETM steps closer to restarting EU's only domestic primary source of tantalum, niobium
1st July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

A shuttered mine in the hills of inland Galicia is a step closer to becoming the EU's only domestic primary source of tantalum and niobium - strategic metals the bloc today imports almost in their... 


Prepare for the future of trade: Understanding Digital Product Passports
Prepare for the future of trade: Understanding Digital Product Passports
30th June 2026

As global sustainability regulations continue to evolve, African businesses face a new challenge—and opportunity—with the introduction of Digital Product Passports (DPPs). Join Sustainability & ESG... 


Steel coil
EU unveils new steel import quotas to protect its industry from overcapacity
30th June 2026 By: Reuters

The European Commission unveiled quotas under the new system to limit duty-free steel imports into the European Union, in a move designed ‌to protect the bloc's steel sector and increase its... 


Rare earths drill core
EU courts Brazil as strategic partner in global race for critical minerals
22nd June 2026 By: Reuters

The EU is turning to Brazil as a strategic partner in its push to diversify its critical mineral supplies, offering a deal that it says will be beneficial to Brazil's development goals, EU... 


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pqt: 0.075s - ct: 0.138s - 275pq - 2rq
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