EU move to mine Indigenous land contested
The EU has approved mining projects on Indigenous Sámi land under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act.
The projects Talga Graphite in Nunasvaara, LKAB ReeMap in Malmberget and LKAB Per Geijer in Kiruna are sparking alarm among the Indigenous Sámi people, says the Sámi Council.
The projects are located on their ancestral lands
Their approval, classified as ‘Strategic Projects,’ directly undermines the Sámi people’s rights, according to the Council.
It states, ‘By fast-tracking these mining projects with an expedited 27-month permitting process, the EU prioritises resource extraction over our fundamental rights to free, prior and informed consent. This decision risks bypassing essential environmental safeguards and further marginalising Sámi communities.’
The Council asserts the expansion of mining in Sápmi threatens the delicate balance of ecosystems and the cultural practices that have existed for millennia.
They claim the Sámi lack the necessary resources to effectively challenge these projects and, without the financial means or human capacity, they say their ability to protect their rights and their lands is severely limited, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by mining companies and governments.
The Council urges the EU to re-evaluate their strategic project status and engage in genuine consultations with the Sámi people, ensuring free, prior and informed consent.
Per-Olof Nutti, President of the Saami Council states, ‘The EU is promoting the exploitation of minerals that contribute to human rights abuses within the EU. This is a direct violation of our rights as the only recognised Indigenous People within the EU. It is an attack on our culture, our land and our future.’
