If you recall, the previous government started an investigation...

If you recall, the previous government started an investigation in regards to the Natura 2000 permit being a requirement before a processing concession can be approved by the Bergsstaten. This investigation concluded on 28 February 2023, and now today there is news:

"The government wants to change the mineral law
Updated today 08:12 Published today 17:31

The government wants to change the mineral law.

Natura 2000 permits shall no longer be a prerequisite for an application for a processing concession to be granted.

The Minerals Act aims to regulate the forms and conditions for examination and processing of specially designated substances, so-called concession minerals.

Now the government has decided on a legislative council referral that proposes changes to the Minerals Act.

The changes mean that a Natura 2000 permit will no longer be a prerequisite for an application for a processing concession to be granted.

- It is a priority for the government that Sweden has modern, efficient and predictable permit processes. Through the amendments to the Minerals Act, the permit examination for mines is made more efficient while meeting the EU legal requirements regarding Natura 2000 areas, says Minister of Energy and Industry Ebba Busch in a press release.

Natura 2000 is a network of valuable natural areas with species or nature types that are considered particularly worthy of protection from a European perspective.

The changes by the government are seen as part of the work to streamline the permit processes and make them more predictable.

The changes are proposed to enter into force on 1 July 2024."

https://www.svt.se/nyheter/sapmi/regeringen-vill-andra-i-minerallagen


This of course is great news and totally stumps neutro's unfounded claims that the concession will be appealed at the Supreme Administrative Court. (Which was an insane claim anyway when you take into account that Talga already has the Natura 2000 permit and in the correct order regardless of this law change). This should however make future expansions more efficient.