The EU is striving for self-sufficiency in critical raw materials due to geopolitical tensions, particularly in light of reliance on Russian gas. The Critical Raw Materials Act aims for Europe to mine 10%, process 40%, and recycle 25% of its needs by 2030. However, experts express skepticism about the feasibility of these targets, citing challenges in sourcing materials like cobalt and rare earths. The mining history in the Ore Mountains and the potential for lithium extraction in Cínovec highlight the complexities of balancing environmental concerns with resource needs.