Norway Government targets mining project plan for rare earths by 2028
Summary
Norway’s government plans to establish a mining project by 2028, targeting Europe’s largest documented occurrence of rare earth elements. This initiative is significant as the rare earth deposit is considered crucial for enhancing European supply security, particularly in light of the continent's heavy dependence on external sources for these critical minerals. Additionally, this effort aligns with broader European goals to advance domestic critical minerals projects that support green energy technologies and defense applications.
Analysis
Norway Government: The Government of Norway directs national policies on natural resources, industrial development, and environmental management. It has recently assigned the Trade and Industry Ministry to lead planning for a major rare earth elements mining project, with a target of finalizing the plan by 2028. This initiative seeks to position Norway as a contributor to Europe's critical minerals supply. Strategic Supply: Norway's rare earth deposit is viewed as a key opportunity to strengthen European and Western supply security amid heavy reliance on external sources. Policy Acceleration: European countries are advancing domestic critical minerals projects to support green energy technologies and defense applications.
Categories
macro
Related sources
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025DC0945
- https://www.tv2.no/nyheter/planen-er-klar-ambisios-tidslinje/19252296/
- https://seraph.com/articles/europe-has-the-deposits-china-has-the-industry/
- https://www.reuters.com/commentary/reuters-open-interest/red-tape-bad-targets-hobble-europe-critical-minerals-race-2026-09-17/
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-23/norway-targets-2028-plan-for-major-rare-earths-project
- http://www.bgnes.com/economy/norway-targets-2028-plan-for-europe-s-largest-rare-earth-deposit
- https://www.edisongroup.com/research/addressing-the-european-ree-shortage/BM-2909/
- https://www.thelocal.no/20260923/norway-sets-2028-target-for-rare-earth-mining-plan
- https://www.bruegel.org/policy-brief/competing-inputs-how-european-union-can-improve-critical-raw-materials-supply-security
- https://energynews.pro/en/norway-targets-2028-exploitation-plan-for-fensfeltet-rare-earth-deposit