Leads new research initiative on raw materials

Access to critical raw materials is essential for the green transition and all modern technology. At the same time as the EU sharpens its goals and measures to secure access to these important metals and minerals, Luleå University of Technology is launching CAMM CRM, a new initiative focused on securing future needs.

“The European Critical Raw Materials Act, published in 2023, underlines that access to critical raw materials is a top priority within the EU. It is about driving developments that will reduce import dependency and secure access to materials that are absolutely necessary for the green transition,” says Nils Jansson, Associate Professor of Ore Geology, who has been entrusted with leading this new initiative.

Batteries and wind power drive demand

The need is great. Electric vehicles require lithium and graphite for their batteries, and wind turbines as well as electric motors rely on permanent magnets made from rare earth elements such as neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium. Europe is essentially completely import-dependent on these, which is why they – along with more than 30 other metals and minerals – have been classified as critical by the EU.

“Forecasts indicate that demand for these metals will increase dramatically as society transitions. Many of these metals have barely been subject to research before – for example, lithium was long considered a geological curiosity without significant industrial importance. But battery development has completely changed the conditions and caused demand for lithium to surge. Even though a lot of research is being done on substitute materials and alternative battery solutions, the need remains,” Nils Jansson explains.

Sweden can help reduce imports

The EU’s goals are ambitious: by 2030 at least 10 percent of the Union’s demand for critical raw materials should be mined within the EU, 40 percent processed within the EU and 25 percent come from recycling. Sweden can contribute in several areas, such as graphite, where advanced extraction plans already exist, but also in rare earth elements.

“We will not be able to supply the whole EU, but we can make a big difference. At best, ongoing projects in Sweden could reduce the EU’s import dependency by several tens of percent within the coming decade. But if the forecasts of increased demand are correct, that share will shrink to only a few percent of the actual future needs. This highlights the need for more projects to meet future demand. Research is needed to better identify where the best conditions exist to initiate new production chains for critical raw materials, or where we can transform existing material flows to extract critical raw materials as by-products.

“There are examples of existing raw material streams that contain elements and minerals classified as critical but which aren’t being extracted, simply because it has so far neither been profitable nor technically feasible. With the Critical Raw Materials Act, interest has been renewed in these streams, but more research is needed – and this is where we come in,” he says.

Northern Sweden becomes a European hub

Northern Sweden is already a central arena for development. In Luleå, two new value chains are being established: Talga’s graphite project and LKAB’s initiative on rare earth elements through REEMAP. Together with the university’s research, the conditions are being created for the region to become a European hub.

“We have research covering the entire value chain under one roof: from exploration, through mining and processing, to remediation and other measures to minimize negative environmental impacts. The university also has expertise in social sciences, law, mineral economics and other mining- and mineral-related fields. This enables us to develop integrated solutions,” says Nils Jansson.

Collaboration with industry and society

New solutions are needed for exploration and extraction, new value chains must be established, and at the same time solutions must be acceptable by in order to work. CAMM CRM therefore aims to strengthen cooperation with both industry and society.

“For industry, it’s about targeted research on significant knowledge gaps and bottlenecks that hinder or prevent exploration or extraction of critical raw materials. For society, it’s important that we can explain the benefits – that these materials are essential for the green transition. To start good projects requires strong knowledge and an understanding that we can design mines in ways that make them safe, profitable and sustainable,” he says.

Another area of interest is combining extraction with environmental benefits, for example by remediating old mining sites. But even here the challenges are significant.

“If technology can be developed so that it becomes profitable and the extraction itself does not worsen environmental impacts, it is of course interesting. But often we are dealing with low concentrations and sensitive environments, which makes it difficult.”

Joint initiatives are key

International cooperation will be crucial. Both within the Nordic region and the EU, joint initiatives are needed. Battery metals are already being produced in Finland, which also has the most advanced lithium projects in the Nordics.

“Value chains do not stop at national borders. It is absolutely crucial that we cooperate,” says Nils Jansson.

He also sees risks if developments do not proceed as planned and Europe remains dependent – for example, when countries with monopolies restrict exports, something that has already been used as a weapon in trade conflicts.

“This drives up prices and can slow down industrial development. That’s why the research we are doing is so important, because it can help create new opportunities to secure the supply of raw materials,” he says.

In five years, Nils Jansson hopes that CAMM CRM will have shown clear results.

“My hope is that by then we will see that our research has contributed to the realization of new value chains, that mines have become more resource-efficient and that our solutions are being applied by industry. In short, that our knowledge is put into practice and strengthens Europe’s self-sufficiency in critical raw materials.”