Metal and minerals are crucial for coping with the green transition, and the mining nation Sweden is a pioneering country in sustainability. To secure our position – and show global leadership – a new strategic research and innovation agenda is now presented.

The government is now tackling the Natura 2000 problem and abolishing the requirement for a Natura 2000 permit before a processing concession. This was announced by Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation, Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson at a press conference on Friday morning. The change is welcomed by the industry, which has requested this for several years.

In Europe, we consume about a quarter of the world’s metals, but produce only 3 percent. The war in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia – one of the world’s largest mining countries – have created a completely new game plan for the EU’s raw material supply.

– Kallak has become a heavy symbol of the opportunity to develop mines in new places, even outside the classic mining regions. We are relieved today, but it has been an unreasonably long processing time for this case, says Maria Sunér, CEO of Svemin.

Jenny Gotthardsson, General Manager for Boliden Garpenberg, is awarded the Fe of the Year 2022. The award goes to a woman in the mining or steel industry who has made special contributions for the industries during her career.