Norway is accelerating plans to develop the Fen Complex, Europe’s largest known rare-earth deposit, which contains an estimated 15.9 million tons of rare-earth oxides. Known as “Fensfeltet” in Norwegian, the deposit is located about 93 miles southwest of Oslo.
The project could reduce Europe’s dependence on China for critical minerals used in defense and clean technologies, at a time when no rare-earth deposits are being mined in Europe. However, environmental concerns over a biodiverse ancient forest are complicating plans for processing facilities. The deposit includes neodymium and praseodymium, elements used in the manufacture of “super magnets,” while rare earths more broadly are crucial for products ranging from smartphones and electric vehicles to fighter jets and are classified as critical by the European Union. Rare Earths Norway—the company that owns the extraction rights—has said it hopes to start mining in the first half of the 2030s.
“The objective is to have a plan in place by 2028 at the latest, but preferably before then,” Norwegian Minister of Industry and Commerce Cecilie Myrseth said on Wednesday.
Europe’s push to develop domestic sources of critical minerals has gained strategic importance as rare earths become an increasingly important point of friction between China and the United States. Beijing’s export controls have exposed Western dependence on Chinese supply chains, while Washington has invested heavily in developing alternative domestic sources and processing capacity.
The Fen Complex shows both what Europe stands to gain and what stands in its way. A major deposit and government support still do not bring mining forward from the 2030s. Its strategic value depends on whether Norway can turn the resource into commercial production fast enough to secure European supply as competition over critical minerals intensifies. (AFP+EIR)
