Official Bridging Document Creates a Connection Between UNFC Classification and CRIRSCO Standards

The United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) is an international classification system that standardizes the evaluation criteria for natural resource projects, facilitating the comparison of projects across different countries and initiatives. Consequently, the UNFC classification is required for strategic project applications within the European Union. If a project’s resources have already been reported according to CRIRSCO standards, it is possible to create a UNFC classification using an official bridging document.

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What are CRIRSCO and UNFC?

The Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO) is an international committee that develops and maintains standards for reporting mineral reserves and resources. Its goal is to maintain consistent and reliable reporting practices that enhance the transparency and comparability of mineral resource evaluations worldwide.

The UNFC (United Nations Framework Classification for Resources) is a resource classification tool authorized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). It enables the classification, assessment, and reporting of not only minerals, but also petroleum, renewable energy, anthropogenic resources, as well as geological storage and groundwater resources.

The UNFC system enables assessment of resource reliability, project feasibility and development phase, aligning with the requirements of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.

Projects can be assessed purely from a business perspective, where CRIRSCO standards provide guidance for qualified persons and exploration and mining companies to report their reserves to investors. Alternatively, they can be evaluated from a resource management perspective, enabling classification and assessment of reserves at national and European levels.

While CRIRSCO standards are aimed at investors, companies, and geological experts, the datasets provided by UNFC classification can offer valuable information to various international organizations, decision-makers, energy companies, and environmental experts.

The Bridging Document Creates a Link Between Classifications

The CRIRSCO-UNFC Bridging Document provides a foundation for classifying evaluations produced by CRIRSCO’s unified reporting codes and standards using the UNFC classification system.

The updated version of the bridging document was approved by the UNECE Expert Group on Resource Management (EGRM) in Geneva in April 2024. Janne Hokka, a special expert from the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), was one of the five members of the document preparation team.
In addition to the official bridging document, there are also application guidelines for it provided to users with technical instructions for the bridging document application.

The bridging document and guidelines create a bridge between these two classifications, producing: A better overall view of primary and secondary mineral resources in Europe.

Improved supply security and achievement of climate goals at both the EU and national levels.
Collaboration and synergy in raw material information across Europe are essential for achieving these goals.

UNFC as Part of EU Strategic Project Applications

The Critical Raw Materials Act came into effect on May 23, 2024. The European Commission has defined criteria for EU strategic projects that significantly enhance the security of supply for the region’s strategic raw materials.

A strategic project must be technically feasible within a reasonable time frame, capable of achieving the targeted production volumes, and sustainable. Projects may involve refining, processing, and recycling strategic raw materials within the EU or diversifying the EU’s supplies from third countries. The Commission has stipulated that the permit processing for strategic projects will be fast-tracked.

The first call for strategic project applications opened on May 23, 2024. The application period will close three months after the start of the call.