Mines in Norrbotten receive strategic status

The new initiatives are considered so important for Europe that they have been granted strategic project status under the recently introduced Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which aims to reduce the EU's dependence on imports of critical raw materials by strengthening extraction, processing and recycling within Europe.

"LKAB's ambition is to gradually build a stable, competitive and sustainable industrial value chain within the EU. This decision emphasises that our plans are in line with Europe's needs both for electrification and Europe's self-sufficiency in strategic and critical minerals. Access to these is crucial for both the electric cars and wind turbines of the future and our food supply,"says Jan Moström, CEO of LKAB.

In the Malmberget mine, new processes will enable the extraction of rare earth elements and phosphorus from materials that LKAB already mines. The new deposit in Kiruna, Per Geijer, is one of Europe's largest known deposits of rare earth elements. The new industrial park in Luleå will become a hub for refining phosphorus and rare earth elements.

Talga's mining of graphite in Vittangi and production of materials for graphite anodes in Luleå is also classed as an important project in Europe.

"It is both good and important that Talga is recognised as a strategic project for Europe. The value chain for anode materials that we are now building in northern Sweden will significantly strengthen the EU's resilience, while reducing the climate impact of the battery industry - without compromising on either strict environmental requirements or other rules," says Talga's CEO Martin Phillips.

In addition to LKAB's and Talga's projects, the battery recycling company Northvolt Revolt AB has also been granted a strategic project.

In total, the European Commission has presented 47 projects that are considered strategic for Europe.

Lennart Håkansson

editor@northswedenbusiness.com