Romania is moving to reopen the Baia de Fier graphite deposit, with the government preparing a final decision to secure state ownership of the mining license, according to National Defense Minister Radu Miruță. Speaking in Sadu, Miruță stated that the Ministry of Economy has drafted a government resolution to lift the inactive status of the site, which holds the largest graphite site in Europe.
Government Approval and Licensing Timeline
According to Ministry of Economy officials, the draft resolution has cleared the Ministry of Environment and is currently undergoing final reviews by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice. Minister Miruță expressed confidence that the cabinet will approve the measure during its session no later than next week, calling the move the key needed to unlock regional resource development. Once the resolution passes, authorities plan to launch an international tender to complete pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. State-owned company Salrom is slated to operate the project, with initial mining activities projected to begin in 2028, as reported by Adevarul.
Strategic Importance of European Graphite
The Baia de Fier perimeters contain critical raw materials designated as strategic by the European Commission, supporting advanced industrial sectors like electric vehicle battery manufacturing and electronics. Graphite serves as the primary input for producing graphene, a material widely utilized in solar panels and high-capacity batteries. With processed graphite commanding market prices reaching up to 200,000 euros per ton, European industrial policy increasingly prioritizes domestic supply chains to reduce import dependencies for green energy components.
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Political Context and Prior Announcements
The current push to reactivate the mine follows a dispute over past administration claims. During a press conference alongside interim Economy Minister Irineu Darău, Minister Miruță disputed statements made by the previous Ciolacu government in March 2025 regarding secured project financing. Miruță characterized those earlier statements as campaign rhetoric, noting that current officials had to establish clear state ownership of the licensing rights through a separate government decision adopted in August 2025 before moving ahead with technical and funding discussions involving the European Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will mining operations resume at Baia de Fier?
According to Ministry of Economy estimates, the first operational activities are expected to start in 2028, following the approval of the government resolution and subsequent international tenders for feasibility studies.
Who will control the graphite mining license?
State-owned enterprise Salrom will manage the project, ensuring that the Romanian state remains the primary beneficiary of the licensing rights, as outlined by Ministry of Defense and Economy officials.
Why is the Baia de Fier deposit important for Europe?
The site represents the largest graphite site in Europe, providing essential raw materials for electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy tech, and advanced electronics.
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