Sweden, home of TLGs graphite mine(s)

beserk said:

This is a startup owned by none other than PEL. He comments on it in Nordnytt.

Beserk

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Welcome back!
How was/is your trip, what were/are your impressions, what did you experience up there? Is there anything to tell?

beserk said:

This is a startup owned by none other than PEL. He comments on it in Nordnytt.

Beserk

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Is he still Chairman of Talga AB or has that changed? No official announcement but not mention of Talga on his linkedin

In case anyone is interested in the details.
Our local political protagonist also features prominently, of course.

21 dec 2023
EU regional leaders adopt Kiruna Declaration to support Europe's sparsely populated regions

I will spare myself any comment.

____________
20 jun 2024
Northern Sweden took part in conference for innovative small and medium-sized cities in Brussels

Interesting read about the infrastructure problems up there in the north:

"...
...
For other companies such as Kaunis Iron, Copperstone, Talga and H2GS and others, a significant part of Sweden's export revenue is at stake if these problems are not solved. Not to mention the security of supply and the climate goals of Europe and Sweden.

It is deeply ironic that climate targets and requirements are being imposed on the industry, while at the same time the same company's existing production and expansion plans are being cancelled out. The problems with authorisation procedures, railways and electricity supply do not only affect LKAB or Norrland.
..."

"The innovations that the billion investments forced​

Published: June 24, 2024

100 billion to be invested in Luleå Industrial Park in new climate-smart industry.
An enormous change that forced innovative solutions.
- We would never have met the challenges if we had not dared to find new solutions, says Anna Lindh Wikblad, municipal director, Luleå Municipality.
The billion-dollar investments in northern Sweden are counted at over 1,000 billion, an almost incomprehensible figure. Today, Norrbotten and Västerbotten are the hottest region in the EU in terms of the green industrial investments planned in, among other things, fossil-free steel and battery manufacturing. In Luleå alone, over 100 billion lands at Luleå Industripark where SSAB, LKAB, Talga and Power2Earth and others will build new industries.
However, being able to meet the business world and match all their needs is no small challenge. The situation has forced completely new ways of working, so in a sense the region has become a national test bed for both business and authorities.
Anna Lindh Wikblad, municipal director in Luleå:
- We see a debate where we in the north are pitted against southern Sweden, but that polarization is based on a fundamental misconception. What we do here in the north is about securing AB Sweden's competitiveness internationally. So we have to step out of the sandbox now.
- Right now we are leading the industrial transition in terms of fossil-free steel, it was fossil-free sponge iron produced at Hybrit in Luleå that produced the fossil-free steel that was shown at the UN climate conference in New York back in 2019. But, the whole world is trying to get that head start now race, so it is important that these plans can be implemented as quickly as possible - for Sweden's sake.
Lindh Wikblad believes that Sweden must now show that it can handle a positive crisis. That we get massive growth that goes so fast that our normal work processes and systems can't handle it if you work as usual.
In terms of power distribution, for example, it led to a completely new way of working, now called the Luleå model. Through round table discussions with all parties and stakeholders, it was possible to "squeeze the air out of the system" and release power equivalent to a nuclear power block.
- We must think in a similar way now in more matters, get together early on with all parties and find new ways of working that can meet the tough schedules of the business world. When it comes to railways and roads, permit examinations and also the supply of skills. We must quickly create a consensus.
The challenges will not decrease going forward, NATO is a new factor.
- We have had a similar approach in the dialogue with the defense, which solved many things in new ways. It may sound trite, but we need to talk to each other. Not working in our downspouts.
- I know that we as a municipality have met Svenska kraftnät in a completely new proactive way and we get the signal from them that they expect to be able to shorten their work process by several years... So, yes, it is possible, if you only want to.
- We believe that we can share our experiences and insights with the whole of Sweden, because new ways of working are being created here, simply because we have to find new, more effective solutions. Are you curious? Contact us, concludes Anna Lindh Wikblad.
Read more about the future country

The article is produced by Brand Studio in collaboration with Luleå Municipality and not an article by Dagens industri"

cosors said:

"The innovations that the billion investments forced​

Published: June 24, 2024

100 billion to be invested in Luleå Industrial Park in new climate-smart industry.
An enormous change that forced innovative solutions.
- We would never have met the challenges if we had not dared to find new solutions, says Anna Lindh Wikblad, municipal director, Luleå Municipality.
The billion-dollar investments in northern Sweden are counted at over 1,000 billion, an almost incomprehensible figure. Today, Norrbotten and Västerbotten are the hottest region in the EU in terms of the green industrial investments planned in, among other things, fossil-free steel and battery manufacturing. In Luleå alone, over 100 billion lands at Luleå Industripark where SSAB, LKAB, Talga and Power2Earth and others will build new industries.
However, being able to meet the business world and match all their needs is no small challenge. The situation has forced completely new ways of working, so in a sense the region has become a national test bed for both business and authorities.
Anna Lindh Wikblad, municipal director in Luleå:
- We see a debate where we in the north are pitted against southern Sweden, but that polarization is based on a fundamental misconception. What we do here in the north is about securing AB Sweden's competitiveness internationally. So we have to step out of the sandbox now.
- Right now we are leading the industrial transition in terms of fossil-free steel, it was fossil-free sponge iron produced at Hybrit in Luleå that produced the fossil-free steel that was shown at the UN climate conference in New York back in 2019. But, the whole world is trying to get that head start now race, so it is important that these plans can be implemented as quickly as possible - for Sweden's sake.
Lindh Wikblad believes that Sweden must now show that it can handle a positive crisis. That we get massive growth that goes so fast that our normal work processes and systems can't handle it if you work as usual.
In terms of power distribution, for example, it led to a completely new way of working, now called the Luleå model. Through round table discussions with all parties and stakeholders, it was possible to "squeeze the air out of the system" and release power equivalent to a nuclear power block.
- We must think in a similar way now in more matters, get together early on with all parties and find new ways of working that can meet the tough schedules of the business world. When it comes to railways and roads, permit examinations and also the supply of skills. We must quickly create a consensus.
The challenges will not decrease going forward, NATO is a new factor.
- We have had a similar approach in the dialogue with the defense, which solved many things in new ways. It may sound trite, but we need to talk to each other. Not working in our downspouts.
- I know that we as a municipality have met Svenska kraftnät in a completely new proactive way and we get the signal from them that they expect to be able to shorten their work process by several years... So, yes, it is possible, if you only want to.
- We believe that we can share our experiences and insights with the whole of Sweden, because new ways of working are being created here, simply because we have to find new, more effective solutions. Are you curious? Contact us, concludes Anna Lindh Wikblad.
Read more about the future country

The article is produced by Brand Studio in collaboration with Luleå Municipality and not an article by Dagens industri"

Annons: Innovationerna som miljardinvesteringarna tvingade fram

100 miljarder ska investeras i Luleå Industripark i ny klimatsmart industri.En enorm omställning som tvingat fram nytänkande lösningar.– Vi hade aldrig klarat utmaningarna om vi inte vågat hitta nya lösningar, berättar Anna Lindh Wikblad, kommundirektör, Luleå kommun.

www.di.se

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Swedish kronor is meant. 1SEK equals AUD0.14

"Parliament to remove the mining industry's biggest bottleneck: "A break in the ice for new projects"​

2024-05-29
Debottlenecking" – eliminating bottlenecks, is an expression that is used frequently during election times. Historically, this has been about production optimization in industry, but today it is just as often about removing legal obstacles that delay processes, for example when obtaining environmental permits.

On Wednesday, the Swedish Parliament decided by a large majority to remove one of the Swedish mining industry's biggest bottlenecks: the requirement for a Natura 2000 permit before Bergsstaten can grant a mining licence. Svemin's industry lawyer Tobias Kluge is pleased:

- "I think this will lead to an icebreaker where projects that have been stuck in decades-long Kafkaesque processes will now actually be able to be tried. Many mining development companies in Sweden have been longing for this change in the law and several projects involving critical raw materials that are of great importance to both Sweden and the EU can now finally move forward.

How will you celebrate?

- "This is an important issue for the industry that Svemin has been working on for many years, so it feels a bit like we've run a marathon and finally reached the finish line. So I guess there will be some cake after all? We should be under no illusions that it will be easy to open mines now, but the fact that more mining development projects will be given the opportunity to be granted a processing licence and proceed to an environmental permit review is still a big step forward.

With the removal of the Natura 2000 permit requirement, does this mean that impacts on Natura 2000 sites will no longer be assessed?

- Yes, absolutely, it will only be assessed at a later stage of the authorisation process. The content and scope of the Natura 2000 assessment will not be affected by the change and the assessment will still be carried out under the same legislation. But this is usually done in connection with the review of the environmental permit," says Tobias Kluge."

There is a little movement in the industrial area. I emphasise that this is not the construction company for the municipality and the industrial park. But at least some power cables are being laid. Vattenfall is doing that.
Incidentally, they are the target of massive hostility of antis (FF, Sami etc.) in Sweden.



"One such day, A. E., T. E. and M. W. were in Luleå to conduct a health and safety audit with one of the companies.
Under a health and safety audit, we work together with companies and this is an opportunity for dialogue and to develop health and safety work with joint forces. Hang in there!"

curiousmagpie said:

Is he still Chairman of Talga AB or has that changed? No official announcement but not mention of Talga on his linkedin

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Today's announcement answers my question. PEL is gone and probably has been for a while.

How long has Talga AB been absent a chair while he's pursued his own graphite project? No thanks or well wishes given to PEL in the announcement.

MP: "I'd like to thank departing Chair Per-Erik Lindvall for his efforts
and guidance over the past three years. We wish him well in his future endeavours."

PEL was extremely active for Talga and present on many fronts, at least from my perspective. Let's see how EN copes. This is her chance now. We'll see.

cosors said:

MP: "I'd like to thank departing Chair Per-Erik Lindvall for his efforts
and guidance over the past three years. We wish him well in his future endeavours."

Click to expand...

lol reading comprehension fail on my part. Thanks AND well wishes.

"Events with critical raw materials in focus at North Sweden​

On June 13, North Sweden, through the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA) network, organized an event focusing on batteries and sustainable energy sources for the future. The event consisted of panels and discussions between leaders from the political, public and private sectors representing local, regional and national interests. From northern Sweden, David Lidström, Head of Unit, Skellefteå Municipality, Tobias Vahlne, Operations Manager at Arctic Center of Energy (ACE), Luleå University of Technology, and Emma Själin, Public Affairs Manager, Talga Resources, participated.

Against the backdrop of the Green Deal, an initiative of the European Commission, climate neutrality is a major focus for the whole of the EU , which will be made possible through a number of different steps and projects, where the Net Zero Industries Act plays a significant role. In the net-zero industry , batteries are a cornerstone, which is why the event was organized by Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA). North Sweden's Director Mikael Janson moderated the event together with Nils Kristian Sørheim Nilsen, Director of North Norway European Office.



The event was organized in conjunction with the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) and aimed to promote dialogue on how various challenges in relation to Norway's, Sweden's and Finland's leading role in battery production can be overcome through cooperation between regions and sectors. Topics discussed included the EU's support strategy and regional contributions from the EU Green Deal, the future of sustainable industrial practices in the Arctic, as well as security of supply and competition from the US and China.
Strengthened cooperation and increased demand for critical raw materials
Jouni Ponnikas, Regional Development Director and Chair of NSPA, from the Finnish region of Kainuu, opened the event with an opening speech. Ponnikas noted that the Arctic region has recently received increasing attention in international politics and economics. The geopolitical landscape has changed and the demand for critical raw materials is increasing, which poses both challenges and opportunities for the NSPA region. Ponnikas therefore sees a need for NSPA to update its goals with the collaboration, its mission and its operational methods. Collaboration is also key to leading the development of the battery industry in the region. According to Ponnikas, NSPA now has a chance to become an even more central forum for strengthening cooperation between different stakeholders.
From the European Commission, Daniel Cios, Policy Officer at the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) participated. Cios notes, just like Jouni Ponnikas, that the demand for critical raw materials will increase in the future. Currently, Europe is dependent on third countries to meet the need for many critical raw materials needed for strategic technology, creating a strategic dependency and a risk of supply chain disruptions. According to Cios, the European Commission is striving for increased extraction capacity in the EU and that there is great potential in the Nordic countries to supply these raw materials. Cios also notes that the long permit processes for mining are currently the biggest problem.
Several representatives from Northern Sweden on site
From Sweden, David Lidström, Head of Unit, Skellefteå Municipality, Tobias Vahlne, Operations Manager at Arctic Center of Energy (ACE), Luleå University of Technology (LTU) and Emma Själin, Public Affairs Manager, Talga Resources participated. David Lidström discussed the employment effects of industry and the shortage of labour. It is not just about attracting people from Sweden, the EU and third countries, but also how to get them to stay.
In relation to employment, Tobias Vahlne discussed skills and education. Vahlne emphasizes the need to adapt education and to rethink how we educate people, as the need for academic education is decreasing in northern Sweden, while the need for vocational education is increasing. The Arctic Center of Energy (ACE) has therefore introduced the Battery Process School, which is a medium-sized training center on how to manufacture battery chains.

Emma Själin then presented Talga Resources . Talga uses natural graphite in its mining operations instead of synthetic graphite made in China from fossil fuels. The production of the synthetic graphite requires a lot of energy and is not particularly clean. Själin explains that it is difficult to compete with China, which has a great power in the industry, as 90% of the value chain is controlled by China, which increases the risks in the supply chain within the EU. However, Själin praises the European Commission for a good job with initiatives to support sekorn and its development within the EU.




We thank everyone involved for an interesting and rewarding event!"

"Great need for housing in Luleå when 5,000 guest workers arrive​

5,000 guest workers may need housing in Luleå by the end of 2026, according to the municipality's assessment. Next year, the assembly of the first contractor housing can begin.​

On this site, beyond the power lines, contractor housing could be set up next year. Currently, Vattenfall Eldistribution, Luleå Energi and Lunet are laying electricity lines and fibre between Lerbäcken and Hertsöfältet.

The figure of 5,000 workers is based on the latest information from the major industrial companies, which is based on their estimates assuming their projects go ahead as planned and are not delayed."It's their best guess," says Helena Holm, who has worked as a coordinator for contractor housing and deputy project manager for Kronandalen in Luleå municipality." rbPW

This time it was taken up in the Swedish media very quickly.
It's also interesting to note that the NSD newspaper was founded by the Social Democratic Party. As a reminder, it is the same party to which, as far as I know, not only EN belongs, but also the two politicians who do not want to take a clear position on Talga, even though the one was active at the ground-breaking ceremony for the plant in Lulea. The politicians in Kiruna who are trying to prevent or at least slow down the mine and want more money from the government also belong to this party.

​

"Eva Nordmark new chair of Talga: "Honoured by the trust"​

Former minister and industrialist Eva Nordmark takes over as chair of Talga AB.​

Eva Nordmark becomes the new Chairman of Talga AB.

Eva Nordmark will take over the chairmanship of Talga AB, after having been a member since 2013."I am honoured by the trust and look very much forward to contributing to Talga's work as chairman, as we now in practice build Europe's first truly green value chain for battery anodes," says Eva Nordmark in a press release. Eva Nordmark has had heavy responsibilities..." rbPW
https://nsd.se/nyheter/lulea/artikel/eva-nordmark-ny-ordforande-for-talga-hedrad-over-fortroendet/r5v5om3j

+

I think, now it is even more important for EN to engage with their party colleagues.

I think, now it is even more important for EN to engage with their party colleagues.

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Indeed. These political rigmaroles need to stop asap. It is tough to be at the mercy of a self destructive country.

"The world's largest dredger on its way to Luleå​

June 23, 2024
The world's largest excavator dredger is currently being prepared for transport to Luleå. The bucket at Magnor is 40 cubic meters in size and the dredger can dig at depths over 30 meters.


The Swedish Maritime Administration and the Port of Luleå recently signed a contract with the first contractor to carry out dredging work in the Malmporten project. Malmporten Dredging Contractors will dredge up to the ice and the contract is basically worth SEK 655 million.

Next week, preparatory work for the dredging will begin. This includes sea surveys, and in early July, silk curtains will be placed at Skvampen to protect cooling water intakes. In mid-July, the real dredging work will start at Skvampen and at the very end of the dredging area, in Sandgrönnleden east of Gråsjälsgrundet.

At Skvampen, smaller dredgers will work, but in Sandgrönnleden, the world's largest excavation dredger will work – Magnor. Together with another dredging giant, Samson, Magnor will arrange a depth of 15.2 meters compared to today's 9.6."


"The world's largest excavation dredger, Magnor, is currently located in northern England and is being prepared for the move to Luleå. Magnor's largest bucket has a scope of 40 cubic meters. Initially, Magnor, and his dredge colleague Samson, who is almost the same size, will work at the far end of the project, at the fairway near Sandgrönnorna."

"NEWS 2 July 2024

What message does Kiruna want to send to businesses?​

Norrbotten is undergoing unprecedented neo-industrialisation. The huge investments being made are putting pressure on both the state and the county's municipalities to work faster and more efficiently. However, one municipality that seems completely uninterested in improving its work and business climate is Kiruna.

Despite the increase in workload, it is absolutely crucial that the exercise of authority is faster. The great interest that companies show in Norrbotten must be given the attention it deserves. The new working methods that are required may help Norrbotten's municipalities to achieve a better business climate in the long term. Boden municipality is an example of how it is possible to maintain a good business climate despite major industrial investments. The municipality continues to receive high marks from its companies despite the great attention that must inevitably be given to H2 Green Steel's steelworks.

One municipality that unfortunately does not do as well as Boden is Kiruna. For the past ten years, the municipality has been at the bottom of our ranking of municipalities' business climate. This cannot be explained by the fact that there are particular factors that are difficult to influence. Basically, it appears to be a lack of interest in the business climate.

In this year's business climate survey, Kiruna companies remain dissatisfied. The significant overall judgement is 2.6. Together with Pajala, which received the same rating, Kiruna is the worst in the county in terms of the overall judgement. The threshold for acceptable is 3.0. For the sake of comparison, Boden receives an overall rating of 4.1. Kiruna is lagging behind in terms of the attitudes of both municipal politicians (2.2) and civil servants (2.3). In addition, one in four companies say they have considered moving their business to a municipality with a better business climate.

If Kiruna's politicians take businesses for granted, even using them as a tool of blackmail against the state, it is not really surprising that the business climate is at the bottom.

An important factor influencing the business climate is the signals sent out by a local government. One clear signal in this context is that the municipality has stopped work on the detailed plan for the mining company that has been authorised by the Land and Environment Court to mine graphite in Vittangi. The reason for this is that the municipality wants financial compensation from the state.

Whether municipalities and local communities should be financially compensated by the state is of course a debatable issue. However, such a discussion must be possible without using a single company as a cudgel/bat. If anything, it shows bad attitudes and sends clear signals to existing and future companies that they are not welcome to expand their operations or establish themselves in Kiruna. And it does not bode well for future major investments in the municipality.

Hans Andersson
Responsible for regional activities in Norrbotten County. Works to maintain a dialogue with member companies, politicians and the press in the county on behalf of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise."

The SC is at least working. There are judgements for the following dates, the last one has just been put online:
2024-07-04*
2024-07-02
2024-06-28
2024-06-26
2024-06-26
2024-06-26
2024-06-19

*five minutes ago:

"The use of means of transport does not require the use of the engine​

Published on 2024-07-04 by the Supreme Court
Objective: No. B 3070-23
Two people who took a boat moored to a jetty and used it to drift along the Ume River have been convicted of misappropriation of means of transport.
While entering and leaving the mooring, two people illegally took a motorboat moored at a jetty in the Ume River. The boat then drifted along the river for one and a half kilometres without the engine running.
In its decision, the Supreme Court has now ruled that although the use of a means of transport requires the offender to use the means of transport to move around, it is not necessary for the motor to be used. The defendants were therefore found guilty of the offence."

Iustitia is blind to prioritisation. The reason why our case ended up with the special unit.)