EU:s Critical Raw Minerals Act och lokala konflikter kring gruvdrift i norra Sverige : En fallstudie av Rönnbäck och Nunasvaara

• Main Author: Richardson, Ilse Marie
• Format: Bachelor Thesis
• Language: Swedish
• Published: Karlstads universitet, Fakulteten för humaniora och samhällsvetenskap (from 2013) 2024
• Subjects: : Critical raw minerals; Mining industry; Social license to operate (SLO); EU Critical Raw Mineral Act (CRMA); Indigenous rights; Permitting processes; Local conflicts; Kritiska rÃ¥mineraler; Gruvindustri; Urfolksrättigheter; TillstÃ¥ndsprocesser; Lokala konflikter; Political Science; Statsvetenskap; Kring; Nunasvaara; Norra Sverige; Northern Sweden
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-100000

The increasing global demand for critical raw minerals is increasing the demand for expansion of the mining industry, requiring quicker issuance of environmental and mining permits while maintaining sustainability standards. Social License to Operate (SLO) is crucial for gaining local support for mining projects. The EU's increased influence on member statesmineral policies through the Critical Raw Mineral Act (CRMA) could lead to local power shifts and conflicts. This study examines how CRMA affects local power dynamics and conflicts, focusing on two mining projects in Sweden to investigate the local impacts of the EU's CRMA and its effect on SLO. Using a qualitative case study approach, the study applies MacPhail et al.'s (2022) theoretical framework, focusing on process legitimacy, value compatibility, and expected distributional outcomes. The findings indicate that CRMA may negatively impact SLO and may lead to reduced power for indigenous populations and increased conflicts among stakeholders. The study highlights the need for inclusive, transparent, and fair permitting processes to secure SLO and minimize conflicts, emphasizing the importance of integrating indigenous rights and values in political decisions and permitting processes to support democratic and sustainable development in the mining industry.