Sweden, home of TLGs graphite mine(s)

No more progress before Christmas on this I guess.

There is al lot to do:

Page updated on December 17, 2024

"Norrbotniabanan​

The North Bothnia Line is a 270 km new coastal railway between Umeå and Luleå that will make it faster, safer and more environmentally friendly to travel and transport goods throughout the country.

Distances shrink with the North Bothnia Line​

With travel times halved, the distance between the cities along the Norrland coast shrinks and it becomes easier to travel between towns in the region. Residents can reach a larger labour market and a wider range of education, culture, shopping and events. This, in turn, benefits the development of the business community and contributes to an attractive, growing and sustainable region.

Decision on the North Bothnia Line's route into Luleå​

The Swedish Transport Administration announced at a press conference on December 16, 2024 that it will proceed with the western route of the North Bothnia Line into Luleå. The western corridor follows the E4 road and enters Luleå via Notviken and the existing railway.
The North Bothnia Line is necessary for both passenger and freight traffic and a basic prerequisite for the success of the green transition. For Luleå municipality, it is of the utmost importance that the North Bothnia Line is built.
Luleå Municipality, together with the business community, the region, municipalities and other regional actors, has advocated the eastern route, which it believes best meets the needs and opportunities of the future. It connects the railway with the airport and avoids a so-called sack solution, where trains need to turn around at the station.
Despite the decision, there is still a lot left to investigate about the western corridor. The Swedish Transport Administration will now begin work on developing railway plans, which is expected to take four to five years. Railway plans are detailed descriptions of what the route of the railway should look like and how it should be built within the chosen corridor. The work will be done in collaboration with several stakeholders, including Luleå municipality.
Luleå Municipality will be a constructive part in the continued work to ensure community development and, together with other local and regional actors, drive the region's development forward, not least the ongoing industrial transition.
Read more about the Swedish Transport Administration's decision: Decision made on the North Bothnia Line's entrance in Luleå - www.trafikverket.se External link. Link to external website
Here you will also find information about the Swedish Transport Administration's continued work and Questions and answers.

Two alternative entrances have been investigated​

For the North Bothnia Line's route to Luleå, two alternative entrances have been investigated, one eastern and one western. Luleå municipality has recommended an eastern entrance to Luleå as it has been assessed to provide the greatest socio-economic benefit for regional development. An eastern entrance would have meant that Luleå would have a transit solution with a connection to both the airport and Luleå C. It strengthens Luleå as a city and connects Luleå with the rest of the region.



In the decision made in the Swedish Transport Administration's railway investigation 160 Södra Gäddvik–Luleå, in 2011, it appears that both the eastern and western routes remain as alternative solutions for the North Bothnia Line's entrance to Luleå. At that time, the Swedish Transport Administration decided, in the first instance, that the western alternative that follows the E4 road should form the basis for the continued planning of the North Bothnia Line. The background to this was that the eastern alternative with a fixed bridge over Hamnholmen blocks access to the turning areas of shipping in Gråsjälfjärden, which are especially important during difficult ice winters.
The eastern alternative has a higher goal fulfillment, if you disregard the challenges surrounding shipping, as the east also provides greater regional development. For this reason, it is important to look at the eastern alternative, which can be actualized if solutions are found that work for both rail and shipping.
The Swedish Transport Administration has investigated the possibilities for an opening bridge in the eastern alternative and has been in dialogue with representatives of Luleå municipality, shipping and a reference group that includes representatives from municipalities, the County Administrative Board and Region Norrbotten.

Possible station location: Luleå Airport​

In the eastern alternative, a possible station location would have been Luleå Airport, which with about 1 million passengers per year is important for the entire region's accessibility by air. A station location at Luleå Airport would help facilitate commuting and skills supply. A smart logistics hub "shrinks" travel times in the region, which benefits sparsely populated areas and enables a greater regional exchange for all people living in Norrbotten and Västerbotten.

Possible station location: Antnäs​

A station location east of the E4 adjacent to road 94 provides high accessibility for Sörbyarna and Älvsbyn. Urban development can take the form of densification of existing buildings in Antnäs. In the vicinity of the station location, industrial activities and trade can be developed.

Green industry - green infrastructure​

Luleå Industrial Park, which consists of Svartön and Hertsöfältet, is a strategically important place where several major industrial players gather to drive the green industrial transition. The North Bothnia Line is important for the industry's transition.
Read more about Luleå Industrial Park

A new travel centre in Luleå with the North Bothnia Line​

The North and South development areas and Itästranden are three major development areas for housing and workplaces. Östra Stranden is being developed into a new part of the city centre with Luleå Travel Centre, which brings together all modes of transport, housing, workplaces, trade and other services.
Read more about Luleå's future travel center "



There will also be a direct flight from Kiruna to Copenhagen.
By contrast, confidence in the economy in Norrbotten is fading.
But:

"New innovation center in Norrbotten​

Luleå Region Norrbotten and LTU business launch a new collaboration platform for renewal and collaboration between actors in the county.

December 11, 2024

Norrbotten Regional Innovation Center will act as a catalyst for knowledge exchange, development and collaboration between strategic industry clusters in the region, it is intended. The aim is to strengthen Norrbotten's position both nationally and internationally.

- Norrbotten Regional Innovation Center will be an important platform for increasing learning between actors within the region, but also for strengthening our presence in Europe. Through joint activities and projects, we strengthen the region's competitiveness, says Linn Berglund Pantzare, project manager at LTU Business.
..."

There will be a memorandum in Sweden 1Q/25 on the re-authorisation of uranium mining. Talga is also on the list of those to be consulted, along with 70 others.
The issue is by no means just about uranium. I have now read several times that rare earths are often found together with uranium and that mining them makes things even more scarce because of the ban on uranium.
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