Sweden's government has reversed its stance on mining, allowing municipalities to veto mining permits for alum shale, potentially halting 50 mining projects.
Last week, the Swedish government changed its position on mining regulations, now granting municipalities the power to veto mining permits specifically for alum shale, a material identified as environmentally hazardous. This shift in policy comes as a significant development for both environmental advocates and the mining industry, indicating a growing concern over the ecological impacts of such mining activities.
The mining industry warns that this new veto power could effectively halt the extraction of uranium and rare earth metals, essential elements that are critical for electrification and are currently in short supply across the European Union. As per the statistics from the Bergsstaten, which is part of the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU), there are approximately 50 exploration permits that could be jeopardized should the municipalities choose to exercise their newly acquired veto.
Experts, including geologist Helena Kjellson, have highlighted the types of rare earth metals sought in alum shale, which includes minor elements like vanadium, nickel, and zinc, along with significant deposits of copper. However, the exact presence and concentration of these metals in alum shale remain uncertain, and further exploration could be impacted by the municipalities’ decisions, potentially leaving the EU in a precarious position regarding its supply chains for critical materials.
