Sweden Proposes Legislation to Lift Ban on Uranium Mining
Sweden is set to lift its seven-year ban on uranium mining, a move that could unlock deposits of critical minerals often found alongside uranium. If approved, the changes would take effect on January 1, 2026.
The decision comes after a government inquiry, completed in December 2024, recommended treating uranium under the same legal framework as other concession minerals. The Council on Legislation reviewed the recommendation in June 2025, paving the way for parliament to consider a repeal.
Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari has expressed her disapproval of miners treating uranium as waste, stating it as incomprehensible. Garrett Ainsworth, District's chief executive officer, has welcomed the government's announcement, expressing his pleasure at seeing the Swedish government moving forward with the removal of the uranium ban.
Several companies have shown interest in Swedish uranium projects. Australian firms Aura Energy and Neu Horizon Uranium have announced plans to collaborate on Swedish uranium projects should the ban be lifted. District Metals, a Canadian company with major exploration holdings in Sweden, has also welcomed the government's announcement. District holds the Viken Energy Metals deposit, located in central Sweden, which it describes as the largest undeveloped mineral resource estimate of uranium in the world.
The proposed changes to the Environmental Code and Minerals Act are expected in parliament later this year. If lawmakers approve the amendments, uranium would once again qualify as a concession mineral under the Minerals Act. Companies would be able to apply for exploration permits and processing concessions, provided they meet the same regulatory conditions that apply to other metals and minerals.
The Viken Energy Metals deposit also contains significant quantities of vanadium, molybdenum, nickel, copper, zinc, and other critical raw materials. This could further boost Sweden's mining industry and reduce its energy import dependency.
The legislative proposal is expected to reach parliament before the end of 2025. In November 2023, parliament removed a longstanding cap on the number of nuclear reactors and authorized construction on new sites. This, combined with the planned lifting of the uranium mining ban, indicates a renewed focus on nuclear energy and mining in Sweden.
