As stated in the discussion thread, I Sami and other groups will appeal anything and everything. Doesnt matter good or bad, its just a matter of fact that they will use the system not as it is intended (to prevent injustice) but to give them selfs more standing / importance and to delay the progress wherever possible. Its a tool for them, not a right to be used when needed. The time for new projects will not be set by the permitting process it self, which will be quick enough. It will be set by the appeals process to the permits. One could argue that the appeals are not part of the permit, hence the CRMA does not bite here. In addition, appealing anything and everything is causing some kind of DOS (denial of service) attack on the court system. Thats why it takes so long already to process even the acceptance or rejection of appeals. Something in Sweden needs to change in order to prevent this practice.
Yes, you may be right. But I don't know what is planned in detail. But we do know that we now have a senior politician on board who will get to the core of the problem and is very well connected. I suspect she got to know us through our agency (RP), which did such great work in Brussels and Sweden. And it looks like she's already on/at (?) the ball.
Igår invigde vi Talga Group nya kontor i Kiruna och idag var det styrelsemöte - mitt första ”riktiga” i Talga. Så meningsfullt och spännande att vara med på…
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We both know this from our activists and environmentalists in our country and have done so for years. For many, complaining is the only way to actively protect the environment. And look at the LNG terminals here. The politicians acted and six to seven months later the thing was done. This was celebrated by politicians in the government
and opposition. Germany finally felt able to act again and was even proud of it. Now they are thinking about what else they can apply this bypass solution to without an environmental permit against which no one can object because this step no longer exists. I would like to emphasise that this was an absolutely exceptional situation. But it shows that politicians know exactly where the problem lies and how to solve it.
I assume that those involved in Sweden know exactly where the problem lies too. One approach could be to no longer offer so much scope for appeals. No approval step, maybe combined, less possibility for appeals. Could be an effective approach. But I'm not a lawyer or a bureaucrat and I don't want to get too deep into it. Otherwise I would treading on thin ice with my lack of knowledge. But just an excerpt for what I mean:
"
The Swedish mining and minerals industry is of great importance both for Sweden as a country, in the regional and local perspective, and for coping with the global climate crisis. We also see how carbon-free steel production, battery factories, electrically powered heavy lorries and recycling of mining waste create thousands of new jobs throughout the country. However, to manage the climate transition and increase Swedish competitiveness, the green and digital transition needs to be accelerated, which requires metals and minerals. However, we note that when in the process a review of Natura 2000 permits is to take place creates uncertainty in the authorisation process. We therefore see a risk that this will hamper development, as major resources must be invested at an early stage, which may mean that companies choose not to invest in the Swedish mining industry. For this reason, we want to introduce a combined assessment of licences under the Environmental Code and Natura 2000. Furthermore, we believe that a Natura 2000 permit should not be a prerequisite for granting a processing concession under the Minerals Act. The Riksdag should support this and announce it to the Government.*"
*What would that mean for the expansions.)
Talga is just one step away from this major goal. His foot is already above the finish line. Unfortunately, the time is now being stretched. But I think everything else will be much easier once this first step of national interest is fully approved and the people will see that's not all that bad, and when people see that the plan is working with the Green Transition, if. And when they realise that the reindeer find enough lichen, don't fall into a big hole or get spooked and don't lay eggs but continue to give birth to calves and there is still enough meat at the end, then that speaks volumes. My personal feeling at least is that now is not the time for us to be pessimistic about the future of Talga. For me it's more like the familiar knot.
As I understand it, the Sapmi Riksdag is an integral part of Swedish politics. A permanent blockade attitude will certainly lead to bypass solutions as with our terminals. Or they will come to an agreement and raise the whole thing to a level of co-operation. But I don't want to delve any further into Swedish politics. Ours is already bad enough and the attitude of the ego NIMBYs, antis and associations is to be against simply everything, even wind turbines or power lines. Not everyone will allow themselves to be told to live in caves.
Oops, did I really just say that? A cursory glance over the shoulder, ah, we're still in the bar, all right
_______________
"New law to make it easier to open mines
There are many steps to opening a mine. The government has now presented a bill to revise the authorisation process.
"We must ensure that it becomes even more efficient to open and start mines in Sweden."
These were the words of former Minister for Economic Affairs Karl Petter Thorwaldsson (S) in May last year when the government, under pressure from the opposition, set up an inquiry into a new authorisation process for mining operations.
Now the government in the form of M, KD and L is proceeding with a bill.
The process for when a so-called Natura 2000 licence is needed will be revised. The Natura 2000 assessment exists to protect habitats and animal and plant species under EU law.
Today, the key steps in opening a new mine are an
exploration permit, a
processing concession (when a company can obtain exclusive rights to a deposit), an
environmental permit, a
land allocation and a
building and land permit.
At present, a company is also required to have a
Natura 2000 licence, if one is needed, in order to obtain an exploitation concession. However,
in order to avoid duplication, it is now proposed that the assessment should be carried out in connection with the assessment of environmental permits.
"The proposal is expected to lead to positive effects for the mining industry as a whole", writes the government in a press release.
This is because it reduces the risk of the Natura 2000 assessment not meeting the requirements set out in the case law of the European Court of Justice.
The amendments are proposed to enter
into force on 1 July 2024.*"
tidningensyre.se
I need a drink after this week.. phew.. doing git branch management is not for the faint of hearts...
