Sweden Prioritizes Critical Minerals Mining for Security

Sweden’s government has declared the mining of critical metals and rare earth minerals a national security priority, unveiling a new mining strategy to reduce dependence on China, which currently dominates the sector. This strategy is particularly focused on the Per Geijer deposit near LKAB’s Kiruna mine, which contains an estimated 1.2 billion tonnes of mineral resources, including 2.2 million tonnes of rare earth oxides.

Enterprise Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch stated that Europe’s reliance on China is concerning and emphasized the need for a robust mining strategy. The government plans to facilitate land allocation for mining projects, despite opposition from Sami Indigenous reindeer-herding communities who argue that mining expansion threatens their traditional lifestyle.

Additionally, the government is considering the establishment of a state-owned investment company to bolster Sweden’s mining sector.