The government has now granted an application from Greenna Mineral, a subsidiary of the Canadian company Leading Edge Materials, for a processing concession for the extraction of rare earth metals in the Norra Kärr area, north of Gränna in Jönköping Municipality.
A mining concession is valid for 25 years and gives mining companies the exclusive right to explore the area and exploit the mineral resources. It is granted by the State Mining Agency in consultation with the County Administrative Board and, if they do not agree, the government makes the decision.
However, to start mining, another permit is required: an environmental permit under the Environmental Code, which is reviewed by the Land and Environmental Court.
Part in the manufacture of electric cars
"Currently, Sweden and the EU are dependent on rare earth metals from countries located outside the EU, not least from China. A possible extraction of the deposit in Norra Kärr could satisfy a large part of Sweden's and the EU's supply needs and therefore a possible establishment should be investigated further," says Minister of Energy and Enterprise Ebba Busch (KD) in a press release.
The area has been investigated for many years.
The mining plans concern rare earth metals such as eudialyte, which are considered important for the green transition and the aim to make the EU more independent from China. Eudialyte contains high levels of elements used in electric motors and generators and is an important component in the manufacture of electric cars and wind turbines, among other things.
Faced with criticism
At the same time, the mining plans have met with widespread criticism and fears that it will threaten natural values, poison Lake Vättern and pose a threat to drinking water.
The Östergötland County Administrative Board has previously stated that the condition for a permit must include protection for ecologically sensitive areas. However, the Swedish Mining Authority, the authority that reviews permits for the exploration and processing of mineral deposits, has not agreed.
Following comments in a previous application process, the company has revised the project and promised to reduce the environmental footprint by moving the chemical processing to another, more suitable location.
The water issue will be part of the environmental assessment required to open a mine. The government's decision concerns a concession that gives the mining company exclusive rights and the opportunity for further investigations.
