Natural resources

Our work in Natural resources

The Natural resources sector, including critical raw materials and biofuels, plays a crucial role in the economic development of many EBRD regions. Our focus is on fostering sustainability, improving industry standards, and enhancing energy security while supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Our work in Natural resources is guided by the following priorities:

Raising industry standards and best practices

We promote the adoption of international best practices in environmental and social governance, health and safety, corporate transparency, and responsible resource management. Our engagement ensures that investments contribute positively to local communities, uphold the highest sustainability standards, and support circular economy principles.

Investing across the value chain

We support investments that strengthen the entire value chain, from responsible extraction of critical minerals to value-added processing and sustainable biofuel production. Our approach prioritises local economic benefits, skills development, and infrastructure improvements, such as transport, water systems, and waste management solutions, to ensure long-term resilience and competitiveness.

Developing competitive and integrated markets

We work to strengthen domestic and cross-border markets for critical raw materials and biofuels, fostering transparent pricing, private sector participation, and efficient regulatory frameworks. Our initiatives promote regional integration, resource security, and sustainable market development, reducing reliance on fossil fuels while advancing energy independence.

Accelerating the transition to clean and sustainable production

Our investments focus on improving energy and resource efficiency, reducing environmental footprints, and scaling up the use of biofuels and other sustainable alternatives. We support projects that replace coal and oil with lower-carbon solutions, drive innovation in cleaner technologies, and enhance the circular economy in natural resource industries.

Commitment to a low-carbon future

Aligned with our commitment to sustainability, we channel investments into the responsible extraction of critical minerals, sustainable biofuels, and other solutions that support the transition to a low-carbon economy. By applying these principles, we help our regions build resilient, competitive, and environmentally responsible natural resource industries that contribute to long-term economic growth and sustainability.

Mining sector strategy

The latest EBRD Extractive Mining Industries Strategy was approved on 28 November 2023.

Junior Mining Programme

Junior Mining Programme (JUMP) is a €150 million dedicated EBRD framework facility for equity and quasi-equity investments in early-stage mining companies in the EBRD's countries of operations.

JUMP focuses on small and medium-sized mining companies under-serviced by the limited depth of equity capital markets and private equity in the EBRD region.

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Learn how the EBRD’s work in the mining sector is making a real change in the areas of inclusion, environmental and social governance, and community initiatives.

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Number of projects to date

€9,651m

Cumulative EBRD investment

€9,411m

Cumulative disbursements

58%

Private sector share of portfolio

Number of active portfolio operations

€1,994m

Current portfolio of projects

€1,630m

Operating assets

Equity share of portfolio

As at 28 February 2025

EBRD product flexibility - tailored to project needs

EBRD Approach

Beyond increasing available capital through lending and investing, EBRD also strives to achieve impact either at the company/individual project level, or more broadly at the sector level:

At the company/individual project level, the EBRD can provide technical assistance to accompany a lending or investment project which can help mining companies improve their environmental, social, inclusion practices, enhance governance, by applying best practice technologies, methodologies and approaches.
At the sector level, the EBRD can also often provide technical assistance to governments to help to introduce or modernise sector level policy, regulation and governance by adoption of best practice as a means of attracting more and better-quality investment into sector development or expansion.

Key characteristics

What kind of sector-level technical assistance does the EBRD offer?

We offer help to identify, adopt and implement proven best practice approaches to regulation and governance. We can help with design and adoption of policies and strategies; preparation, adoption and implementation of laws and regulations; and, training and capacity building across a range of themes including: geodata digitisation; award and licensing; reporting standards; fiscal frameworks; transparency; enforcement; mine closure; and, institutional governance

Why does the EBRD offer sector-level technical assistance?

Experience shows that adoption and implementation of best practice approaches helps to attract more and better-quality investment to drive sector development, while enabling the sector to make a greater contribution to broader economic growth

How does EBRD sector-level help attract more and better-quality investment?

Best practice reflective modernisation of regulation and governance through the adoption of clearer and more precise rules that allow certainty of rights and responsibilities, reduction in discretionary decision-making by public officials, easier market entry and a more level playing field for investors tends to reduce risk and improve investor confidence in the security of their investment and likelihood of a positive return

To whom does the EBRD offer sector-level technical assistance?

Counterparties include policymaking authorities (cabinet, ministries of mining, natural resources, finance, economy, environment), regulatory authorities, geological surveys and other policy development, executive or implementation authorities

How does the EBRD’s sector-level technical assistance work?

Projects are designed jointly by EBRD and in-country counterparties, implemented by highly qualified and extensively experienced external consulting advisors, led and supervised by EBRD sector specialists

When can the EBRD offer sector-level technical assistance?

The Bank’s technical assistance help can precede EBRD lending or investment activities, or can run alongside them, with the aim of amplifying their positive impact, or mitigating any potential negative impact.

Who covers the cost of EBRD sector-level technical assistance?

EBRD technical assistance projects can be grant-supported, with funds directly from EBRD or bilateral/multilateral donor partners. The level of grant funding available will depend upon the specifics of the project

Natural Resources department covers operations in 36 countries across central and Eastern Europe, central Asia, Greece, Cyprus, and the southern and eastern Mediterranean region. Our key sectors are gas, biofuels production, metal ore mining and services providers, mining of critical raw materials essential for the manufacturing of wind turbines, solar panels, lithium-ion and electric car batteries, traction motors, heat pumps and similar equipment, which are a vital sector for many transition countries and one in which, the Bank makes a significant impact.

List of sub-sectors that the Natural Resources team covers:

Mining of metals and minerals [including mineral fertilisers]
Recovery and processing of metals from historic tailings
Finance for special mining equipment, transport fleet and specialised services provided to mining/resource companies
Distribution and storage of fuels and metals storage [incl. transhipment terminals, storage facilities, EV charging infrastructure]
Refineries [biofuels and traditional fuels]
Processing of any organic waste (incl used cooking oil), plastics, used lubricants, etc. into advanced biofuels
Finance for trade facilities [incl. gas (in limited cases), biofuels, metals, and minerals, etc.]
Gas processing plants, gas flaring/methane reduction
Production and distribution of compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen gas [except for non-captive green hydrogen]
Liquefaction and re-gas LNG plants - except re-gas plants built captive to power plants
Privately sponsored/owned gas storage projects
Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage
Infrastructure facilities (incl. e.g., power plants incl. RE and power lines) captive to NR clients
EV chargers, solar panels, etc. at existing fuel stations network