Focus on Norra Kärr at mining seminar

On 28 February, a seminar on the Norra Kärr mining project north of Gränna was held at the School of Education and Communication (HLK) at Jönköping University (JU).

"Many different, interesting and current perspectives were raised in regard to the mining issue with a focus on Norra Kärr," says Ann-Sofie Kall, Assistant Professor of Sociology at HLK and project manager for a research project on mining.

The mining seminar aimed to critically discuss whether Norra Kärr is a suitable site for mining rare earth elements and other minerals. The seminar was organized as part of the research project "Gold and green forests: CRMA and the challenges for fossil-free electricity supply in Sweden", conducted at HLK. It deals with the social and environmental consequences of the simplified permitting process for the extraction of critical and strategic raw materials, which is part of the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) legislative package.

"The response has been very positive"

The researchers in the mining project, Ann-Sofie Kall, Åsa Nilsson Dahlström, Åsa Westermark and Johanna Bergström, all Assistant Professors at HLK, invited to the seminar which consisted of lectures and discussions about mines, CRMA and the possible consequences of a mine in Norra Kärr.

"We want to talk to different types of actors involved in the mining issue and have received a very positive response to the seminar. It was an opportunity for representatives of organizations that normally don't have a common platform to meet," says Åsa Nilsson Dahlström.

"Important to raise awareness"

The close to 60 participants included politicians, researchers, experts and association representatives. Carina Gustafsson, chair of the Urbergsgruppen Grenna-Norra Kärr, was one of the coordinators of the seminar.

"It's important to raise awareness of what a mine would mean for Norra Kärr and how it would affect the environment and, above all, lake Vättern. I think there are many people who don't understand what a mine would entail. In Norra Kärr, it would not just be an underground mine, but an open-cast mine that will be about 800 meters long when fully developed," says Carina Gustafsson.

"Should attract more attention"

Jan Riise (MP), member of the Swedish Parliament for Halland County, has been following the Norra Kärr mining project, which he thinks should attract more attention than it has.

"There is not much talk about Norra Kärr and therefore it is important to raise this issue. This seminar can hopefully lead to greater awareness and create interest and commitment to Norra Kärr," says Jan Riise.