The government of Norway has moved to take over planning for the Fen rare earth project, in a bid to accelerate development of what is considered Europe’s largest known deposit of critical minerals.
The decision follows a significant resource upgrade announced last month by developer Rare Earths Norway, which increased estimated resources at the site to 15.9mn tonnes of rare earth oxides—an 81 per cent rise from earlier estimates.
Strategic asset for Europe’s supply security
Located in the Telemark region, the Fen deposit has taken on growing strategic importance as Europe seeks to reduce dependence on China, which dominates global rare earth supply chains. Prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the project could play a pivotal role in strengthening regional supply resilience.
“The Fen field could be of major significance for Telemark, Norway and Europe’s supply security and competitiveness,” he said, adding that expanding domestic and allied production of critical minerals was essential for long-term economic security.
Government steps in to speed development
Oslo’s intervention comes at the request of local authorities and reflects concerns that land-use conflicts and competing national interests could delay the project.
Across Europe, large-scale resource and infrastructure developments—including mining and renewable energy projects—have frequently encountered resistance from environmental groups and agricultural stakeholders, complicating permitting timelines. By assuming control of the planning process, the Norwegian government aims to streamline approvals and coordinate competing interests, a move that signals a more interventionist approach to critical mineral development.
High-value materials for the energy transition
Around 19 per cent of the Fen resource consists of neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr)—two rare earth elements essential for manufacturing permanent magnets used in:
- electric vehicles
- wind turbines
- consumer electronics
- defence systems
These materials are central to Europe’s push toward electrification and decarbonisation, further elevating the project’s strategic relevance.
Europe’s supply gap
Europe currently has no operating rare earth mines, leaving the region heavily reliant on imports, particularly from China. Development of Fen could mark a significant step toward building a domestic supply base, though timelines remain long. Rare Earths Norway has indicated that production could begin in late 2031, with expected output of about 800 tonnes of NdPr annually by 2032—equivalent to roughly 5 per cent of European Union demand.
The project highlights a broader tension across Europe: the need to accelerate critical mineral development while addressing environmental and social concerns. Norway’s decision to centralise planning authority suggests governments are increasingly willing to prioritise strategic resource projects, even as opposition from local stakeholders continues to shape timelines.
