By: Inspenet, Jan 16, 2023
The Swedish state company LKAB announced the discovery of the largest rare earth deposit in Europe, with minerals needed for the production of electric cars and wind turbines.
Jan Moström, director of LKAB indicated that the “Per Geijer” deposit, which is located in the north of Sweden, has a volume of more than one million tons. It contains important components for the production of raw materials that are “absolutely crucial for the implementation of the green transformation”, explained Moström. “Without mining, there are no electric cars.”
According to the company, the find could cover much of the demand for rare earths in Europe.
Moström also reported that it could take “several years” to explore the deposit “in a profitable and sustainable manner.” That also depends on permits, he told a news conference in the mining town of Kiruna. Experience has shown that it takes “10 to 15 years” until the market can be truly supplied. However, LKAB intends to apply for a mining license this year.
The company has already started preparations to drill a several kilometer long and around 700 meter deep drift at the Kiruna mine to examine the deposit “in detail”.
Also present at the presentation was the Swedish Minister of Energy, Ebba Busch, who indicated that the need for rare earths is great; after all, the EU is striving to become a fossil fuel free economy. Sweden has held the EU presidency since the beginning of the year; a Commission delegation from Brussels is currently visiting the country.
Source : https://news.eseuro.com/noticias/1349381.html
Photo: ShutterStock
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