Sweden Declares Mining a National Security Issue

On Thursday, the Swedish government declared the mining of critical metals and rare earth elements a matter of national security and announced a new mining strategy. The move is intended to speed up planning and permitting processes and attract investment to reduce Europe's dependence on China, which currently dominates the mining and processing of raw materials essential for green energy, the defense industry and electric mobility.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Enterprise Ebba Busch described Europe's dependence on Beijing as a "systemic risk" and emphasized that domestic mining will strengthen the defense capabilities of Sweden, the EU and NATO.

A key project for Europe is the Swedish Per Geijer deposit near LKAB's Kiruna mine, with a total volume of 1.2 billion metric tons of mineral resources, of which 2.2 million metric tons consist of rare earth oxides.

The new strategy will make it easier for the state to allocate land for mining projects, and the government is also considering establishing a state-owned investment company for the mining sector. However, the opening of new mines is also causing tension with the indigenous Sami people, who fear that their traditional way of life and reindeer herding are under threat.

(Reuters, Max)