Sweden will reverse its ban on uranium mining beginning in January 2026, Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari announced Wednesday, as the Scandinavian nation embarks on ambitious nuclear energy expansion plans.
The country halted all uranium extraction activities in 2018 amid environmental and cost concerns under the previous Social Democratic administration.
Pourmokhtari framed the decision in terms of national security and energy independence, telling reporters that geopolitical tensions necessitate greater self-sufficiency in critical materials.
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“It is important, given the security situation Sweden and Europe are in, that we reinforce our autonomy for critical raw materials but also for uranium and other metals,” she said. “We don’t want to depend on countries where conditions are bad, countries run by dictators.”
The Nordic nation sits atop substantial uranium deposits representing roughly one-quarter of Europe’s known reserves, according to geological surveys. Currently, Sweden sources its uranium requirements from international suppliers, including Australia, Canada, and Kazakhstan.
Parliament is expected to approve the legislative changes without difficulty given the ruling coalition’s majority. The new framework will regulate uranium extraction under Sweden’s existing Minerals Act alongside other natural resources.
Sweden operates six nuclear facilities that generate approximately one-third of the country’s electricity. The government recently committed to constructing small modular reactors at the Ringhals facility, adding significant generating capacity equivalent to two conventional plants.
Environmental groups had previously raised concerns about potential groundwater contamination and the financial viability of uranium operations when the mining prohibition was enacted seven years ago.
Mining companies from Australia and Canada have already signaled interest in developing Swedish uranium projects once regulatory barriers are removed.
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