Email just sent by SveMin. The tense situation in Europe due to...

Email just sent by SveMin.


The tense situation in Europe due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine is extremely worrying. The thoughts are primarily about the people of Ukraine and the terrible humanitarian effects of a war. At the same time, we are already seeing how Russia's actions - and the necessary countermeasures now being introduced from the EU and the rest of the world - will have repercussions in many ways and also affect Sweden and the EU as a whole. Russia is a significant exporter of various important raw materials, including metals and minerals.

For example, Russia is a significant producer of platinum group metals and accounts for about 40 percent of world Palladium production. Palladium is used in laptops, mobile phones and other electronics as well as in catalysts for cars with internal combustion engines. Palladium is a sought-after metal and more expensive than gold, which is a contributing cause of theft of catalysts. A halt in deliveries from Russia will affect the automotive industry and value chains for vehicle manufacturers worldwide.

Russia is also a significant producer of nickel. About 20 percent of all nickel used in the EU comes from Russia today. Nickel is an important raw material for batteries, but also as an alloying material in steel. Here, too, the effects of a stop will be felt.

Something that has not been reported in the media yet is how the war will affect Ukraine's exports of metals. Ukraine is a significant iron and steel producer and titanium and graphite, for example, are also on the export list.

In the EU, there is now a strong focus on securing value chains and access to important raw materials. At the summit held by the EU's Ministers of Trade and Industry on 24 February, the importance of securing the opportunities to extract more raw materials in the EU was emphasized. And there is potential, not least in the Nordic countries. Among other things, there is one of the more interesting deposits in Europe for the platinum group's metals, nickel and copper in northern Finland in Sakatti. The deposit is located in a Natura 2000 area and is planned with great consideration for the environment. Since good mineral deposits are rare, it is important that there is also the opportunity to continue to develop mines in areas with high natural values with a focus on minimizing the impact