Approval process for the deposit in Sweden has still many steps to go.
Leading Edge Materials has submitted an application for a 25-year mining concession for its Norra Kärr rare earth project. The project has faced long-standing opposition from local communities due to its proximity to a lake vital for the region’s drinking water supply (we reported). In response to these concerns, the project was redesigned, separating mining operations from chemical processing activities to mitigate environmental risks.
Earlier this summer, Leading Edge sought recognition of the project as a strategic initiative under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act. Such recognition could streamline the approval process. Nevertheless, securing the mining concession is just one step—additional requirements, including comprehensive environmental impact assessments, must still be fulfilled.
Norra Kärr is a eudialyte deposit, a type known for its high concentration of heavy rare earth elements. However, the relatively low raw material concentration in eudialyte makes extraction particularly challenging and the focus of ongoing research.
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