Mineral laws in Sweden
Sweden have had legislation about the right to undertake exploration and exploitation since the Middle Ages. The oldest known mining laws are from the 1300s. Mineral laws is needed to facilitate society´s supply of necessary metals and minerals.
The Minerals Act and the Minerals Ordinance
The Minerals Act (1991:45) came into force on July 1, 1992. You can access the Act including amendments until the 8 March 2018 via this link . The Minerals Act includes specially designated natural resources, so-called concessionary minerals.
The Minerals Ordinance (1992:285) came into force on July 1, 1992. You can access the Ordinance including amendments until the 8 March 2018 via this link.
Minerals Act and Minerals Ordinance currently in force replaced the Mining Act (1974:342) and the Act concerning Certain Mineral Deposits (1974:890). The Mining Inspectorate is responsible for permits and supervision under the Mineral Act.
Act on Continental Shelf (1966:314) and Continental Shelf Ordinance (1966:315)
Applied in handling cases relating to the extraction of national resources from the seabed and Swedish economic zone. Geological Survey of Sweden is responsible for permits regarding to the Act on Continental Shelf.
Other acts affecting exploration and exploitation
The holder of an exploration permit or the exploitation concessionaire often need to apply for permits according to other legislation before work begins. For example permits according to Planing and Building Act (2010:900), Environmental Code (1988:808) and the Act concerning Ancient Monuments and Finds (1988:950).
Last reviewed 2021-03-03