Sweden's Sami fear for future

SWEDEN'S indigenous Sami fear they will lose their livelihood and culture if plans go ahead to mine a large rare earths deposit located on their traditional reindeer grazing grounds in the far north.

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Rare earth elements are essential for the green transition, including electric vehicle battery production, and the large discovery made in Sweden in early 2023, as well as an even bigger one in Norway in 2024, has boosted Europe’ hopes of cutting its dependence on China.

The Asian country is home to 92% of the world’s refined rare earth production and 60% of rare earth mining.