Society´s future needs for metals and minerals for a sustainable and digital society in a 2030 and 2050 perspective
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | SVEMIN AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | December 2020 - September 2021 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
A report that compiles the prevailing view of the future need for metals and minerals in our society globally, how this is affected by climate change, how we can meet these needs and what implications this has for Sweden and the Swedish mining industry has been produced to enable substantiated, strategic political decisions linked to Sweden´s and Europe´s raw material supply. Analyzes and conclusions in the report will form the basis for decision-makers. Communication of results has begun through, among other things, a launch event on 27 September.
Expected long term effects
One conclusion made in the report is that, for the majority of metals, the most important single driver of increased demand in the period up to 2050 will be the climate transition. The level of ambition set for the climate transition will affect demand for these metals and these effects will be particularly noticeable in Europe due to high climate ambitions. Recycling is important but is not expected to be able to cover more than 15-26 percent of the emerging demand up to 2050. Sweden has the potential to extract several of the metals that are important for the climate transition.
Approach and implementation
Compilation and analysis of data has been carried out by Material Economics on behalf of Svemin. A steering group consisting of representatives from academia, industry and authorities has assisted the project. The project has resulted in a report that was presented during a seminar on 27 September 2021. A panel consisting of parliamentary politicians discussed the conclusions from the report. Industry representatives from Boliden and Northvolt also participated in the seminar. The report has been translated into English to enable further communication in the European arena.