Slovakia Approves First Action Plan for Critical Mineral Exploration Through 2030

Slovakia has taken a significant step toward strengthening its resource security, with the government approving the country's first-ever action plan for the exploration of critical minerals, covering the period from 2026 to 2030. The cabinet approved the plan on Wednesday, with the initiative prepared by the Ministry of the Environment. Funding for the measures outlined in the plan is expected to come from the state budget as well as EU structural funds under the next programming period, which begins after 2027. The move reflects growing concern across Europe about securing domestic supplies of critical raw materials — minerals essential for manufacturing batteries, electronics, and clean energy technologies. The European Union has been pushing member states to reduce dependence on imports, particularly from China, by identifying and developing their own mineral reserves. Slovakia's action plan represents the country's formal commitment to systematically surveying its territory for such resources over the coming years.