Pro-mining changes to the Minerals Act have now come into law (July 1) and the Swedish government has released their "Strategy for the new industrialization and the social transformation in Norrbottens and Västerbotten County", a 45 page document.
Ebba Busch:
"
PrefaceIt is often only in hindsight that history reveals the significance of an event, but sometimes we recognize, even during the unfolding process, that we are witnessing something groundbreaking. We now stand before such an occasion. Sweden has the opportunity to become greener and wealthier. The reindustrialization in the counties of Norrbotten and Västerbotten gives our country the conditions to take a leading global position in green innovations, fossil-free production, and electrification. At the same time, with our resources in metals and minerals, Sweden can help reduce both our own and the EU's dependence on strategic raw materials from third countries.
The opportunities with reindustrialization are vast, but it will also be challenging. Norrbotten and Västerbotten face extensive societal transformation. New demands are being placed in many areas. Among other things, infrastructure, housing, educational opportunities, access to culture and leisure activities, as well as access to basic commercial and some public services, need to be quickly established.
The years ahead require collaboration between the state, regions, county administrations, municipalities, industry, associations, and individuals. The collective strength of society needs to be directed towards the same goal for us to succeed.
We cannot take positive development for granted. There is a global race for green investments. Therefore, in addition to this strategy, the government has acted forcefully. We have reformed energy policy, taken a comprehensive approach to simplify and shorten environmental permitting processes, enabled more engineers and education programs that match industry needs, tasked coordinators to facilitate the sale of state land for housing, and established an acceleration office for green growth with two industrial coordinators.
The potential gains from reindustrialization and societal transformation in northern Sweden are significant. Therefore, this strategy has been developed. A unified approach is required to prepare Sweden strongly for the future, with increased competitiveness and attractive communities. So that Sweden can become greener and wealthier.
Ebba Busch
Minister for Energy and Business"
Full document:
https://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/7fadf1f8045b4d5db34c0b597ec19573/strategi-for-nyindustrialiseringen-och-samhallsomvandlingen-i-norrbottens-och-vasterbottens-lan-.pdf
(20min delay)