Glossary term

preliminary economic assessment

A CRMA early-stage assessment term for the potential economic viability of recovering critical raw materials from extractive waste.

1 official sourceSingle-source term

What does preliminary economic assessment mean?

Preliminary economic assessment is the CRMA concept for an early-stage, conceptual assessment of whether recovering critical raw materials from extractive waste may be economically viable. It is not a bankable feasibility study, reserve statement, permit approval, strategic-project designation, or proof that recovery will actually happen.

Source context

This page is anchored in CRMA Article 2, point 39. It links the extractive-waste context to early project evaluation, but it should stay separate from reserves, extraction capacity, permit-granting process, and commercial supply commitments.

Official definitions by source

EU Critical Raw Materials Act

Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials

an early-stage, conceptual assessment of the potential economic viability of a project for the recovery of critical raw materials from extractive waste

CRMA Article 2 source-specific definition layer.

Reference: Article 2, point 39

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Practical application

Implementation records should capture the assessment identifier, extractive-waste source, critical-raw-material target, viability assumption, project scope, assessment date, method limitation, and separation from feasibility studies, permit approval, strategic-project designation, or supply commitments.

Minespider commentary

Preliminary economic assessment is an early-viability assessment control: the evidence consequence is that extractive-waste recovery potential can be tracked as a conceptual opportunity without overstating reserves, supply security, financing, or compliance.

Common confusions

  • A preliminary economic assessment is not a bankable feasibility study or final investment decision.
  • It does not prove that reserves exist or that recovery of critical raw materials will occur.
  • It should not be treated as permit approval, strategic-project designation, or commercial supply proof.