The Nordic Forum on Raw Materials is an initiative supported by Nordic Innovation to strengthen cooperation across the mining and minerals sector in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark and Greenland. The network aims at consolidating the Nordics as role model in global sustainable mineral production.
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Nordic mineral cooperation important for the EU
The forum discussed different perspectives on Nordic cooperation such as how to build a stronger cooperation across the Nordic mineral industry and raw material value chains. What is needed to create a Nordic cluster? And why is a Nordic cluster of metals and minerals important for a strong EU?
The EU consumes 25% of the raw materials produced worldwide but only produces 3%. The EU is therefore heavily dependent on imports of raw materials from other regions. The Nordic’s role and potential within Europe was discussed by Annika Wäppling Kozinek, Head of European Commission’s Representation in Sweden, who also highlighted the Nordic Forum on Raw Materials as an important actor:
“Security and defense will very much be the mantra of the coming EU Commission. And for this we need critical raw materials. The Nordic countries are among the richest countries in Europe when it comes to raw materials. You are also the most efficient and innovative. It would be a lie to say that the EU does not rely on the Nordic countries. What you are doing here in creating a Nordic network is really important in working towards the EU.”
The forum also showcased examples of concrete mining projects from the Nordic countries.
In the session “How to Explore Gold in Iceland” Thordis Björk Sigurbjörndóttir, CEO at Iceland Resources talked about the discovery of gold deposits in Iceland and the upcoming exploration plans. She also reflected on how a Nordic mineral cluster would benefit their project with access to education, partnerships and more knowledge as concrete areas of cooperation that would be of their benefit.
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An interactive program has proven successful
One of the aims of the forum has been to create a meeting place where people can network, create partnerships and find new contacts. To accommodate this, the program was built to create dialogue with group discussions in between the stage sessions. The participants were also given new table numbers during the day to create as much interaction as possible during the lunch-to-lunch time frame.
The interactive format proved very successful. Maria Sunér, CEO at Svemin, one of the project partners, says:
“Having a format where you gather a lot of stakeholders with different perspectives and where you give them time to discuss, not only in the breaks but also during the program has proven to be very valuable. People have been moving around, they have got new contacts, and they have broadened their networks during this forum, which was the aim of the concept.”
There was generally a positive attitude towards the forum concept and the program content, both from participants and speakers:
“I want to thank the organizers of this event. The leadership that you provide to the Nordic mining sector is extremely important. I think we should have this type of gathering more often at Nordic level. We need to accelerate cooperation and build stronger ecosystems. I think we can do a lot in this room. Create a Silicon Valley for minerals in the Nordics,” said Jörgen Sandström, Head, Transforming Industrial Ecosystems Program, World Economic Forum.
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Need to address difficult topics
The next Nordic Forum on Raw Materials takes place in Oslo, 10-11 March 2025. With a point of departure in a very successful event, the partners will now start to plan for the next program. And there remain many topics to be discussed. Maria Sunér explains:
“We haven’t touched upon the very difficult questions. Like for example the conflicts of interest that always arises when you want to do mining such as nature conservation, local communities or indigenous people. So, I think these are topics that we need to address moving forward.”
Business ministers push for stronger Nordic cooperation
Creating stronger Nordic cooperation within the mineral and mining sectors was also highlighted on the political agenda. On 4 October, the Swedish Presidency hosted a meeting between the Nordic business ministers to discuss how to best include metals and minerals in Nordic co-operation.
The meeting stressed that access to critical metals and minerals is key to the Nordic and EU 2030 climate and digital goals. The ministers agreed that if the Nordic region can secure critical raw materials from minerals mined within the Nordics, it will increase security of supply and free us from dependence on other countries while at the same time opening new export opportunities for innovative solutions.
Goal is a permanent network
“Thanks to our partners Svemin, FinnMin and Norwegian Mining Industry for developing an interesting and valuable program. This is the first out of three summits bringing professionals from the metals and mining industry, academia and finance together. However, it is our ambition that this will lead to a permanent network that can contribute to future innovation within the Nordic mining industry and make the region leading in sustainable mineral production,” says Håkan Linn, Head of Program at Nordic Innovation.
