Sweden’s government has declared the mining of critical metals and rare earth minerals a matter of national security, unveiling plans for a new mining strategy aimed at reducing dependence on China.
China currently dominates the mining and refining of rare earth minerals, which are essential for clean energy technologies, defence systems and electric vehicle production.
Beijing has also used export controls on the minerals as leverage in its trade dispute with the United States and other international disagreements.
Sweden has significant mineral reserves, including the Per Geijer deposit near LKAB’s Kiruna mine, one of the European Union’s flagship projects aimed at reducing reliance on Chinese supplies. The site contains an estimated 1.2 billion tonnes of mineral resources, including 2.2 million tonnes of rare earth oxides, making it strategically important for Europe.
Enterprise Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch said “designating mining as a national security priority would accelerate planning and permit approvals while encouraging investment.
“We believe that this can contribute significantly to both Sweden’s, the EU’s and NATO’s defence capabilities,” she told a news conference, describing Europe’s reliance on China as a “systemic risk”
Busch said the strategy would also make it easier for the government to allocate land for mining projects, an issue that has drawn opposition from Sami Indigenous reindeer-herding communities, who argue that expanded mining threatens their traditional way of life.
She said that the government is considering establishing a state-owned investment company to support Sweden’s mining sector.
“Today, to put it plainly, the government lacks concrete tools to wisely contribute to accelerating and attracting investments in key projects and crucial strategic projects,” she said.
Reuters
