The green shift, which is characterized by the transition to sustainable, renewable energy sources, requires access to a wide range of mineral resources. As a result, the EU has identified a category of mineral-based raw materials that are particularly critical for European industry and business development, known as "Critical Raw Materials" (CRM).
Every three years since 2011, the European Commission has calculated the supply risk and economic significance of the raw materials that the EU depends upon for industrial operation and development in Europe. The results are presented in its updated list of "Critical Raw Materials" (CRM)." This list includes the minerals and metals that have the highest supply risk and the greatest importance for the European economy. Many large industrialized countries maintain a national list of critical raw materials. When NGU uses the term "critical" to describe minerals and metals, we are referring to the EU's designated list.
In 2023, the European Commission also introduced the term "strategic raw materials" based on expected future production and needs. The EU's lists of critical and strategic raw materials for 2023 include 34 minerals and metals.
Supply risk primarily arises when the production of certain raw materials is concentrated in very few countries. To increase production and reduce the supply risk, it is therefore necessary to increase the number of producers in countries with stable governance systems. In addition, we must facilitate increased recycling. These are central premises for NGU's mineral mapping.
Which critical minerals are being produced in Norway?
Currently, graphite, silicon and titanium are produced in Norway. Many stakeholders perceive continued extraction opportunities for these critical raw materials.
Decision and policymakers have tasked NGU with prioritizing the mapping of areas where critical minerals can be found in Norway. These areas may include known nickel and copper deposits where cobalt potentially be present.
In the Fens Complex, situated in Nome municipality, substantial known deposits of rare earth elements like dysprosium and neodymium exist. Vanadium can also be extracted as a by-product during iron production, while magnesium is obtainable as a metal from extensive deposits of dolomite and olivine. Furthermore, NGU conducts mapping of phosphate-rich rocks in the area.
Several prerequisites must be met in order to extract minerals:
- Adequate tonnage and high enough content of minerals and metals in the rocks.
- Assessments of sales value and profitability.
- Political and social support for mining.
NGU plays a pivotal role in mapping, evaluating, and documenting resource potential. Additionally, we facilitate access to valuable data that can help industry in conduct more focused and effective exploration activities.
Which minerals and metals are critical or strategic?
- Boron
- Gallium
- Germanium
- Graphite
- Hafnium
- Copper
- Cobalt
- Lithium
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Nickel
- Niobium
- Platinum group metals
- Rare earth elements
- Silicon
- Tantalum
- Vanadium
- Bismuth
- Tungsten
Source: European Commission: Study on the Critical Raw Materials for the EU 2023 – Final Report.
Which of the critical raw materials do we find in Norway?
In Norway, there is significant potential to discover critical minerals and metals essential for the green transition. Presently, we are aware that Norway possesses, and has the potential to uncover, various critical raw materials, including but not limited to the following:
- Graphite
- Cobalt
- Niobium
- Platinum group elements
- Quartz for silicon
- Hafnium
- Phosphate
- Titanium minerals for titanium metal
- Tantalum
- Vanadium
- Rare earth elements
- Feldspar minerals
- Copper
- Nickel
In 2021, NGU and the other Nordic surveys submitted a report to Nordic Innovation describing the Nordic potential for critical minerals.