Norway Targets 2028 for Plan on Europe's Largest Rare-Earth Mine
Norway aims to finalize development plans for the Fen Complex rare-earth deposit by 2028 to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains.
Key points
- Norway aims to finalize the development plan for the Fen Complex rare-earth mine by 2028.
- The deposit contains 15.9 million tonnes of rare-earth oxides essential for EVs and defense.
- Environmental concerns over forested areas have delayed the project, prompting government intervention.
The Norwegian government has set a deadline for 2028 to finalize the development plan for the Fen Complex, Europe’s largest known rare-earth deposit. Located approximately 150 kilometers southwest of Oslo, the site is estimated to hold 15.9 million tonnes of rare-earth oxides, including neodymium and praseodymium. These elements are essential components for high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and defense applications.
Industry Minister Cecilie Myrseth stated that the objective is to have the plan in place by 2028, preferably earlier. The government took over planning responsibilities from the local municipality earlier this year to accelerate the process. This move includes studying alternative locations for surface installations, which had previously caused significant delays due to environmental objections.
Environmental constraints delay surface facilities
Environmental concerns have long hindered project progress, particularly regarding the placement of mineral-processing facilities in forested areas. Surveys in the region identified 78 endangered animal and plant species, including rare beetles, specific tree varieties, mosses, and fungi. Rare Earths Norway (REN), the company holding the extraction rights, argues that the mine itself will be underground and thus invisible, but acknowledges that surface processing facilities are still necessary.
Strategic shift to secure European supply
The project is viewed as critical for strengthening European and wider Western supply chains for critical minerals. Currently, no rare-earth deposits are being mined in Europe, leaving the continent heavily dependent on China for supplies. The European Union classifies these metals as critical due to their role in producing smartphones, electric cars, and fighter jets.
Commercial extraction targeted for early 2030s
Rare Earths Norway hopes to begin actual mining operations in the first half of the 2030s. The 2028 deadline for the planning phase is a prerequisite for this timeline. According to reporting by Euronews.com, the government’s intervention aims to resolve location disputes and secure the necessary regulatory approvals to meet these operational targets.
