What does the law say?

Licences to explore for minerals

• Unless the landowner has given his consent, an exploration permit must be obtained from the Mining Inspector for any exploration for ore minerals, energy minerals (other than peat) and certain industrial minerals (magnesite, pyrite, wollastonite, andalusite, sillimanite, kyanite, apatite, fluorite, brucite, pyrrhotite, graphite, certain clays, nepheline-syenite, rock salt and barite). The relevant provisions are set out in the Minerals Act.
• If the landowner has not given his consent, peat exploration may be undertaken if a licence is issued by the county administrative board.
• Exploration for other minerals requires the landowner’s permission.

Licences to extract minerals

• For the extraction of ore minerals, energy minerals (other than peat) and certain industrial minerals (magnesite, pyrite, wollastonite, andalusite, sillimanite, kyanite, apatite, fluorite, brucite, pyrrhotite, graphite, certain clays, nepheline-syenite, coal, rock salt and barite), a licence known as an exploitation concession has to be obtained from the Mining Inspector under the provisions of the Minerals Act. In addition, a permit under the Environmental Code is required. Applications for such permits are made to the environmental courts.
• To extract peat, a licence under the Peat Deposits Act must be obtained from the relevant county administrative board.
• For the extraction of other minerals, an extraction licence must be applied for from the relevant county administrative board. Here, the licensing procedure is governed by the provisions of the Environmental Code.

Minerals Act & Minerals Ordinance
(– unofficial  translation of "Minerallagen" & "Mineralförordningen" (1161 kB, opens in a new window)

Guide to mineral legislation and regulations in Sweden (opens in a new window)

Mining Inspectorate

The Mining Inspectorate of Sweden, which is part of SGU, issues permits for mineral exploration (exploration permits) and mines (exploitation concessions). On the Inspectorate’s web site you will find, among other things, details of existing exploration permits and information on Swedish minerals legislation and the associated regulatory system.

To Mining Inspectorate web site (opens in a new window)