In the Norra Kärr area near Gränna, one of Europe's largest deposits of rare earth metals is embedded in the bedrock. This includes eudialyte, which is central to electric cars, for example - and to the EU's efforts to reduce its dependence on China.
Recently, the government granted Greenna Mineral, a subsidiary of the Canadian company Leading Edge Materials, a processing concession for Norra Kärr.
This means exclusive rights for 25 years to continue exploration and - if an environmental permit is granted - access to the minerals.
Concerns about drinking water
Vättern is a source of drinking water for around 300,000 residents in municipalities around the lake. A mine could pose risks such as pollution and leakage, according to Jonas Källming, head of department at the Östergötland County Administrative Board.
Bergsstaten, which assesses land use, proposed granting a concession permit.
The County Administrative Board considered that processing should be permitted because the deposit is of great national interest - but on condition that the company describes how it will protect, for example, drinking water.
The approval given by the county administrative boards in Östergötland and Jönköping did not sufficiently support the decision, according to Bergsstaten, which therefore left the decision to the government.
One reason for the county administrative boards' hesitation was that the deposit is in a sensitive location. To substantiate a permit, they wanted to see conditions for protecting the area, something Bergsstaten thought belonged in a review by the Land and Environmental Court.
But the government made a different assessment there, says Helena Kjellson, mining manager at Bergsstaten, to TT.
The government thus made decisions on issues that Bergsstaten considered to belong in environmental review in court.
One condition of the government's decision is that the company, in consultation with the Swedish Marine and Water Authority and the county administrative boards, shall take "the precautionary measures needed to protect the drinking water supply from Lake Vättern from negative impacts."
"Alarming"
However, the decision is facing criticism.
"It is worrying. By taking the next step for a mine in Norra Kärr, the government seems prepared to take major risks with the drinking water sources in Vättern," says Green Party spokesperson Amanda Lind to TT.
According to Minister of Energy and Enterprise Ebba Busch (KD), the company has revised its project so that its environmental footprint is reduced, including "by moving the chemical processing to another and more suitable location."
The process of opening a mine is long.
First, the company applies for an exploration permit from the Swedish Mining Authority.
If it turns out that there are deposits in the area, the company can then apply for a mining concession from the Swedish Mining Authority. The company must then be able to demonstrate that the deposit can be exploited economically.
The environmental impact statement forms the largest part of the application for a mining concession. It should describe how the mining operation may affect people, animals, nature and the environment.
In addition to Bergsstaten, consultation referrals are made with the County Administrative Board.
If the application for a mining concession is granted, the company will have the exclusive right to extract the minerals found in the area, but will not yet have the right to begin mining. The next step is to obtain permission from the Land and Environmental Court.
Sources: County Administrative Board and Bergsstaten.
