RE: Full statement / question21 Mar 2022 15:54
to Minister of Trade and Industry Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson (S)
In a time of growing concern and insecurity, but also a time when the IPCC reports that the countries of the world need to take even more forceful action to meet the climate commitments of the Paris Agreement, brave leaders are needed. Leaders who point out a way forward, a path where Sweden can be a leader for a safe, secure and sustainable transition. This is especially true in our own basic industry. Here, the mining industry has an important role to play. By mining minerals in Sweden instead of in warring countries, countries where the protection of human rights and freedoms is limited and where the employment conditions for miners leave a lot to be desired, Sweden's security and safety also increases. The country's vulnerability decreases and the degree of self-sufficiency increases.
Europe imports iron ore net for about $ 6.2 billion each year. Of this, Ukraine accounts for about 15.7 percent and Russia for 12.4 percent as of November 2021. In terms of steel, the EU is the world's largest importer. In 2018, the EU imported 44.5 billion tonnes of steel from countries such as Russia (20 percent), Ukraine (13 percent), China (7 percent) and Belarus (2 percent).
Sweden accounts for 90 percent of the iron ore mined in Europe. We have the world's toughest environmental legislation and a labor law we are proud of with controllable working conditions for employees. In addition, there are short transports and a high iron content in the magnetite, which reduces emissions and energy consumption during processing. In addition, there is access to energy that is significantly more sustainable than in many other countries.
The Swedish iron makes us less dependent on Russia and China. Given this, it is of great value that the Swedish mining industry develops and that the necessary decisions are made as quickly as possible. A decision that has taken a long time is the application for a concession under the Minerals Act for the Kallak area outside Jokkmokk.
The proposed mine in Kallak is estimated to have iron ore for 30-40 years after the mine was opened. What then awaits remains to be seen. The iron ore in Kallak is needed in Sweden and it is needed in Europe, perhaps especially to reduce our dependence on ore from the outside world but also to contribute to the expansion of roads, houses and wind turbines. For example, each individual offshore wind turbine needs huge amounts of steel.
During a visit to the Riksdag's Business Committee on 14 December 2021, the Minister of Trade and Industry promised that a decision on a concession under the Minerals Act regarding a new mine in Kallak outside Jokkmokk was imminent. The minister stated that a decision would be made after the first week of February. In an interpellation debate in the Riksdag on 11 January 2022, the Minister of Trade and Industry was asked whether the government intends to make a decision on the mining project
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