Mining

We have a detailed understanding of the regulatory system, exploration and extraction licenses, and other authorisations required to start exploration and mining activities in Norway. One of our partners has been a member of the Minerals Act Law Committee preparing the current mining legislation.

Norway has a considerable share of critical mineral resources and also deposits of future interest for the continued exploitation and development of a greener economy. The EU Commission has recently proposed a comprehensive set of actions through the Critical Raw Materials Act to secure sustainable supply of critical raw materials indispensable for a wide set of strategic sectors including the net-zero industry, the digital industry, aerospace and defence sectors.

The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which entered into force on 25 July 2024 , is of further relevance to the industry.  The CSDDD sets out an obligation for large companies to adopt and put into effect, through best efforts, a transition plan for climate change mitigation aligned with the 2050 climate neutrality objective of the Paris Agreement as well as intermediate targets under the European Climate Law. The rules of the CSDDD will start to apply to the largest companies on 26 July 2027 and be further phased-in to apply to smaller companies in 2028, before applying to all companies in scope of the Directive on 26 July 2029.

Norway may become the first country in the world to open up for seabed mining.The Ministry of Energy has presented a proposal for the announcement of the first licensing round for seabed minerals on the Norwegian continental shelf for public consultation with a deadline late September 2024. The proposal sets out the areas where the companies will be able to apply for exploitation licenses. The intention is to gather knowledge about whether there is a basis for sustainable mineral exploitation on the Norwegian shelf.

Our dedicated mining lawyers will bring in experts across legal practices as needed.

We advise, in particular, on:

• M&A
• Mining Regulations and Policies
• ECM/DCM
• Landowner Agreements
• Project Development and Financing
• Construction and Infrastructure
• Mining Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• ESG and Sustainability
• Joint Ventures
• Commercial Agreements
• Offtake- and Supply Agreements