How can graffiti place Romania on the world map

The government took out the two graffiti areas from Baia de Fier from the list of closed mines, eliminating one of the juridical obstacles which prevented reopening the mine. The decision does not mean that extraction begins immediately, but allows the continuation of a project estimated at 200 million euros, declared strategic by the European Commission.   The information was announced on Friday by deputy premier Radu Miruta. The latter said that the decision had in view two mines exploiting graffiti at Catalinu and Ungureiasu, Baia de Fier , Gorj county.Catalinu and Ungureiasu are two graffiti mines owned by Salrom, the National Salt Society, a company controlled by the Romanian state.The two residential units closed in 2004 and 2006, as the exploitation was considered unprofitable.   In the meantime, the situation changed. Graffiti has become an essential raw material used for lithium-ion batteries, electric cars, energy storage systems, electronic and aircraft industry and some defense applications.   Graffiti is used especially to manufacture batteries. Although public attention concentrates on lithium, an electric car battery needs a large quantity of graffiti. EU included it on the list of strategic raw materials , as the world market is dominated by China.   Salrom presented in 2024 two projects for the consolidation of a graffiti industrial chain at Baia de Fier, with a total value estimated at 445 million euros at the time. The first project of about 198.3 million euros, has in view the extraction and primary processing of graffiti. The objective is to produce a high purity graffiti, which can be used in the battery industry.   In March 2025, EC included Salrom Baia de Fier among the 47 strategic projects selected based on the European Regulations on critical raw materials.   Romania has three investments on that list: the project for Baia de Fier graffiti, Verde Magnesium of Bihor and Rovina project for copper in Hunedoara. The estimated overall value of the three projects is 615 million euros.   This amount does not represent money granted by the European Commission. Political statements made in 2025 created the impression that Brussels financed the three investments with 615 million euros. In fact, the amount represented the estimated investment needed.   The strategic status offers more rapid authorization procedures and facilitates access to public and private finances, including by means of institutions like the European Investment Bank or the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. But it is not the equivalent of a grant.   Salrom estimates that the extraction project could produce about 15,000 tons of graffiti per year. But that capacity is not guaranteed.   If the Salrom target is reachd, Romania could become a relevant European producer, but would remain a small actor compared to the main world suppliers. The importance of the project comes from its location within EU and the possibility to process graffiti to the level needed in the battery industry.   The volume of Baia de Fier reserves is not public. Data are classified, according to the Romanian law on mineral resources.   The project could bring new jobs at Baia de Fier and investments in processing, battery parts, recycling and research. The effect may appear if a larger part of the production line remained in Romania.   For EU, Romanian graffiti could mean a domestic source in a market depending on China. For Romania, it could mean passing from raw material exports to manufacturing products with high added value.   Success will not depend only on the existence of ores, but on technology, financing, observing environment conditions and the existence of contracts with battery manufacturers or other industrial companies.