On 27 January, the OECD, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, launched the study carried out on mines and minerals in Norrbotten and Västerbotten. The study is part of the project “OECD Mining Regions and Cities”, where the OECD studies selected regions with a focus on the challenges and opportunities the regions have to create sustainable growth in the industry.
Jenny Greberg, Program Director Swedish Mining Innovation participated in the launch and in a panel discussion on the report’s conclusions. – The study shows Upper Norrland’s great importance for the necessary global green transition, for growth both regionally and nationally, and for the opportunity to be a global leader for sustainable mining.
– In addition to the rich bedrock that contains metals and minerals that are necessary for the green transition, there are also the conditions in the form of leading companies, universities and a strong innovation system. Challenges around, for example, permit issues and land use are highlighted as critical, and the report also shows potential for improvement for small companies and the local business climate. The report clearly shows the importance of the Norrbotten region and the Västerbotten region together with the various actors driving the policy issues both to improve the permit processes, the local dialogue and to better meet regional development opportunities in a national perspective, says Jenny Greberg.
Also present at the launch were Nils-Olov Lindfors, Regional Council Norrbotten, Åsa Allan, Vice President Kaunis Iron, Per-Olof Nutti, the Sami Parliament and Swedish Mining Innovation’s Chairman of the Board Pia Lindström, HR and Sustainability director Boliden Mines.
Other regions that have been studied in the project include Antofgasta Chile, Darwin Northern Territory Australia, North Karelia Finland, Pilbara Western Australia Australia and Greater Sudbury Ontario Canada.
More information
See launch event: OECD Mining Regions and Cities Case of Västerbotten and Norrbotten, Sweden – YouTube
Report: OECD Mining and Regions and Cities Case of Vasterbotten and Norbotten Sweden
Policy high-lights: https://www.oecd.org/regional/Policy-Highlights-mining-Sweden.pdf
