How Can the Nordic Region Secure Supplies of Critical Metals and Minerals?

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How Can the Nordic Region Secure Supplies of Critical Metals and Minerals?

The question “How Can the Nordic Region Secure Supplies of Critical Metals and Minerals?” was the main point emerging from the meeting of Nordic business ministers earlier this month. The ministers also signed a new declaration on Nordic industrial partnership.

The Swedish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers today hosted a meeting of Nordic business ministers to discuss how best to include metals and minerals in Nordic co-operation. The meeting was held at the Swedish mine, Sickla gruva, just outside Stockholm, where the ministers took a closer look at some of the minerals so important for the green transition and sustainable energy solutions.

How Can the Nordic Region Secure Supplies of Critical Metals and Minerals?
Ebba Bush. Photo: Wikipedia

“Sustainably produced goods can become a strong and competitive Nordic brand – we have the geological potential and the knowledge about extracting and producing minerals needed for the green transition and to secure the Nordic Region’s position in global value chains,” said the Swedish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy and Industry, Ebba Busch.

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How Can the Nordic Region Secure Supplies of Critical Metals and Minerals? article continues below image.

How Can the Nordic Region Secure Supplies of Critical Metals and Minerals?
Sickla mining, Stockholm

The critical raw materials of the future

The meeting stressed that access to critical metals and minerals is key to the Nordic and EU 2030 climate and digital goals. Sustainable utilization of the Nordic Region’s rich mineral resources – including building robust value chains – will reduce dependence on imports from other countries. This will be good for the green transition, help make the region more resilient and open up new export opportunities for innovative solutions.

How Can the Nordic Region Secure Supplies of Critical Metals and Minerals?
Karen Ellemann. Åhoto: Altinget

Security of supply makes the Nordic Region resilient

Unfortunately, we live in uncertain times and a more unpredictable geopolitical situation in which the Nordic Region cannot always trust that the regimes and countries we have traded raw materials with up until now will be able to guarantee supplies in the future. If the Nordic Region can secure critical raw materials from minerals mined in its own territory, it will enhance security of supply and free us from dependence on other countries, the ministers agreed.

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Related: Europe’s Largest Deposit of Rare Earth Metal Found in Sweden
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Green Nordic export opportunities

The green transition has become a competitive parameter in the same way the green agenda has become an economic one. Companies that are early adopters of innovative green and low-carbon solutions can capitalize on the market opportunities inherent in a global low-carbon economy.

“Together, we must improve security of supply and resilience via access to the metals and minerals that are so important for the Nordic Region’s green transition and competitiveness,” the Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Karen Ellemann, stressed at the meeting.

As part of this co-operation, the Nordic countries and their industries will enhance their understanding of each other’s value chains and ecosystems and also brand themselves collectively to the rest of the world.

How Can the Nordic Region Secure Supplies of Critical Metals and Minerals? article continues below image.

How Can the Nordic Region Secure Supplies of Critical Metals and Minerals?
Nordic ministers discussing future supply of critical minerals from the Nordic region.

New declaration on a Nordic industrial partnership

To emphasize the importance of working more closely together on business policy in the Nordic Region, maintain resilience and competitiveness and to focus on a faster green transition, the ministers adopted a new declaration on a Nordic industrial partnership. It stresses the priorities that the Nordic countries share and the opportunities for generating Nordic added value.

How Can the Nordic Region Secure Supplies of Critical Metals and Minerals? Based on a press release fron norden.org

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