From Devoll to Pogradec, the areas with the richest underground resources in Albania

Albania has a number of mining areas rich in what are known as critical raw materials, which have been analyzed by the European Training Foundation, a body of the European Union.

This publication, which measures countries’ capacities in terms of raw materials, highlights the importance of coordination among nations as a guarantee for Europe’s access to essential raw materials for its industries. Specifically, Albania is cited for several important types of materials.

First, the study mentions cobalt, which in Albania is found in the mining areas of Pogradec. This material is particularly important for lithium batteries, which are a key component of electric cars and smartphones.

Second, there is copper, with reserves in the areas of Lezha and Kukës. Copper plays a crucial role in a range of sectors, from energy to construction.

Third, feldspar is found in the Shkodra region and is significant for the ceramics, porcelain, and paint industries.

Another material is nickel, found in Kukës, Devoll, Çervenakë, Përrenjas, and Librazhd, classified as class C deposits, and one class B deposit in Devoll.

According to the EU Critical Raw Materials Act of 2024, the overall demand for raw materials is expected to increase sixfold by 2030 and sevenfold by 2050. For some materials, projections are even higher for instance, the demand for lithium batteries in the EU is expected to grow twelvefold by 2030 and twenty-onefold by 2050.

Raw materials refer to unprocessed or minimally processed substances used not as isolated elements but as processed combinations in engineered materials, or as by-products and co-products. They are at the beginning of all industrial value chains and are essential for the EU’s competitiveness, productivity, and growth.

They play a key role in the green and digital transition, as well as in the EU’s defense and aerospace sectors.

“KORÇA BOOM”