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Daniel Zamfir announces that the graphite from Baia de Fier could be transformed into graphene in Romania, rather than exported as raw material

Raluca Ioana Draghici

29 October 2026, 08:52

Economy

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Economy Minister Daniel Zamfir says Romania could resume graphite extraction in Baia de Fier, Gorj County, next year, and that he wants the raw material to be processed into graphene domestically rather than exported. He made the statement on Antena 3 CNN, amid growing recognition of graphite as a critical raw material for the defense industry, battery production and advanced technologies.

“I no longer want us simply to extract raw materials and export them,” the minister said, advocating local processing and development. Graphene is obtained by exfoliating the carbon layers in graphite until they form sheets one atom thick. The material is highly resistant, flexible, almost transparent and a good conductor of electricity and heat. It is used in the development of microchips, flexible screens and advanced devices.

On August 14, the government decided to resume mining in the Cătălinu and Ungurelașu mining areas, which had been removed from the list of sites permanently closed. The project also provides for the installation of equipment to produce high-purity graphite. The Baia de Fier mine was closed in 1994, having been deemed unprofitable with the technology available at the time.

Romania nevertheless needs major investments, advanced equipment and international partnerships to move from extraction to graphene production. The resumption of mining is part of strategic projects concerning the supply of critical raw materials.

Context: The government has prepared the reopening of graphite mining at Baia de Fier and launched the approval procedures for restarting the project

Before the minister’s statements, the authorities decided to remove the Cătălinu and Ungurelașu areas from the list of mines scheduled for closure, paving the way for the resumption of graphite mining at Baia de Fier. The project is classified as strategic for the battery raw materials supply chain and has been assessed as having potential for up to 198 million euros in European funding.

The steps included obtaining approval from the Ministry of the Environment and completing the approval procedures at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice. At the same time, the organization of an international tender for preparing the mining operation was announced, with the objective of starting activities in 2028.

According to the estimates associated with the project, production could reach approximately 15,000 tonnes of graphite per year, with estimated annual revenues of approximately 300 million dollars.