Since 2018, it has been prohibited to extract uranium in Sweden. But now the government wants to change that.
One of the proposals is that municipalities should not be able to stop smaller mines and mines where uranium is extracted as a by-product. However, what is classified as smaller mines is not entirely clear.
The proposal is met with massive criticism. Even municipalities that are not directly affected by mining are worried that the municipalities' veto power may be restricted.
Large-scale popular protests
Falköping Municipality – which is governed by a broad coalition and where large deposits of uranium are found in alum shale – writes in its response that uranium mining can have major negative consequences for the environment, agricultural landscapes, animal husbandry, and for residents in the area.
The proposal also lacks popular support, according to the municipality. In the 1970s, large protests broke out in Skaraborg when uranium mining was to be resumed at the Ranstad plant, on the border between Falköping and Skövde. The affected municipalities then exercised their veto.
"Dismantling the municipal veto in favor of uranium mines would be a step in the wrong direction," the municipality writes in its response, which was prepared together with Skövde Municipality.
Risk: Water supply
Large deposits of uranium are also found in Jämtland County, and the municipalities of Östersund and Åre believe that it is unacceptable that such a far-reaching proposal has so much uncertainty about which planned mines are covered or not.
Östersund points to the major environmental risks, including water supply and food production. Furthermore, mining can negatively impact tourism.
From the mining industry, the comments are largely positive towards the proposal, although some have wanted to go further.
Reduce Russian dominance
The government believes that the ban on uranium mining hinders the possibility of extracting other critical raw materials necessary for the climate transition, including those used in wind turbines and batteries.
Even the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) points this out in its response, and it is one of the reasons why SGU is positive about abolishing the ban.
Other reasons why the government wants to allow uranium mining are the investment in nuclear power and the tense security policy situation. Today, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan control more than half of the world's uranium production.
More than a quarter of Europe's known uranium deposits are found in Sweden.
The response period expires on Thursday, and the government plans for the new law to come into effect on January 1, 2026.
