RE: Storuman decision18 Sep 2024 15:50
Thanks for this. Doesn't really give us anything to go on. If this was their position, why didn't they state it outright in 2019, instead of leading us to believe it was due to national interest conflict over the area of land that would house operational buildings/structures etc, as opposed to the mine area itself.
It is quite something when access for a group of reindeer and their herders to a small strip of land amidst the vastness of the Swedish countryside is given priority over the mining of a mineral deemed critical to the entire European Union; only one comparable mine exists in EU territory currently, which is in Germany. Especially when the Government of your country has effectively ridiculed your original decision and its foundations.
Fluorspar is classified as a critical mineral by both the EU and the USA due to its essential role in producing hydrogen fluoride, which is critical for making lithium-ion batteries, aluminum, steel, and refrigerants. These applications are central to industries like electric vehicles (EVs) and clean energy technologies, making fluorspar strategically vital as these sectors expand.
China currently dominates fluorspar production, accounting for about 65% of the global supply. However, China has shifted from being a net exporter to increasingly importing fluorspar, raising concerns about future availability and supply risks for other countries reliant on the mineral. Europe, only meets about a third of its own demand, making it highly dependent on imports.
Global demand for fluorspar is growing, with estimates suggesting it could nearly double by 2030, driven primarily by the booming electric vehicle and battery sectors. However, supply remains constrained, as key producers like Mexico and South Africa face production challenges. Additionally, China's increasing internal demand is likely to exacerbate these supply issues.
Given the above, it would make sense for the government to abolish the Bergstaten and bring decision-making in house. That way they could avoid being hamstrung by nonsense thinking.