Sweden considers lifting uranium mining ban. New memorandum recommends mining

Europe’s dependence on fossil fuel imports has long been a well-known and widely discussed fact, but in recent years similar debates have also begun to emerge over uranium. Sweden is one of the countries in Europe with relatively large uranium reserves. Uranium mining is currently not permitted in Sweden, although this could change in the future. The country’s climate and environment minister said at the beginning of the year that the government would explore ways to pave the way for its resumption.

Although a number of European countries have mined uranium in the past, including the Czech Republic, no uranium mining is currently taking place within the European Union. The last EU countries to mine uranium until recently were the Czech Republic and Romania. However, with highly ambitious decarbonisation plans and a sharp rise in energy prices during the energy crisis, some countries are beginning to reconsider their approach to nuclear power and, in some cases, uranium mining.

Debates about the possible resumption of uranium mining are also taking place in Sweden. Swedish nuclear power plants account for around 30 % of the country’s electricity generation. Domestic uranium mining could therefore provide the raw material needed to produce nuclear fuel for the country’s reactors. According to World Nuclear News, however, uranium exploration and mining have been prohibited in Sweden since 2018.

Government recommends mining, but no decision has been made yet

Although discussions about a possible resumption of mining have been underway for several years, this year the government commissioned a study. The recently published findings recommend lifting the ban and regulating uranium mining through permits for potential miners, according to the government. The memorandum in which the government published the findings says that the legislation needed to allow mining to resume in the future could take effect as early as the beginning of 2026.

"More than a quarter of Europe’s known uranium reserves lie beneath Swedish soil. The possibility of mining uranium is absolutely crucial to our work on climate change, reducing emissions and dependence on fossil fuels and energy sources. I want us to mine and use the mineral found in Sweden, where the Swedish mining industry is among the most environmentally friendly and safest in the world," Swedish Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari said, according to the website.

The findings of the government inquiry will now be consulted on with relevant authorities, organisations, municipalities and other stakeholders. Australian company Aura Energy, which owns the Häggån deposit, containing a range of metals and other minerals, including uranium, is also expected to take part in the consultation process.

"For Sweden, this is an important first step towards low-carbon energy self-sufficiency. Sweden has abundant geological resources that can be used to produce zero-emission nuclear energy for both domestic use and export," said Aura Energy executive director and CEO Andrew Grove.

According to World Nuclear News, the general public may also take part in the consultation process. It is due to run until 20 March next year.