From food security to defence, project milestone ensures independence of supply chain at time of geo-political uncertainty LONDON, Sept. 9, 2024 - A mining project qualified to be fast tracked by the Norwegian Government is now set to secure critical and strategic minerals, (essential for food security, semiconductors, batteries for EVs, green technologies and defense), having achieved a major milestone which proves the project’s viability. With growth in demand but a reliance on a limited number of producers, such as China and Russia, the creation of a new integrated value chain for critical raw materials in Europe has become a strategic imperative.

The recent GAO report, “Critical Minerals: Status, Challenges, and Policy Options for Recovery from Nontraditional Sources” (GAO-24-106395), highlights the United States’ reliance on foreign nations, including adversaries, for critical minerals essential for manufacturing and defense. The report identifies nontraditional domestic sources, such as mining wastes, coal by-products, and geothermal brines, as viable alternatives to traditional mining. The recovery of critical minerals from nontraditional sources presents several benefits. These include increased independence from foreign suppliers, stabilization of mineral prices, and the reuse of existing industrial sites, which can reduce environmental impacts associated with new mining operations.