The European Commission has designated the Viscaria mine in Kiruna as a Strategic Project under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The decision confirms the mine’s importance to Europe’s supply of copper.
The Viscaria mine is one of the projects included in the European Commission’s updated list of Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).
The status constitutes formal recognition of the Viscaria mine’s importance to the EU’s supply of raw materials and may contribute to more efficient regulatory processes and improved conditions for project development.
“Viscaria’s designation as a Strategic Project is a clear recognition of the mine’s importance to Europe’s copper supply. The decision strengthens our position as we work to reopen the mine and establish modern copper production in Sweden. We believe that the mine’s robust funding position and planned opening in 2028 contributed to the decision. With InfraVia as a strategic investor, we also have a long-term, financially strong partner that shares our ambition to develop Viscaria into a significant European copper producer,” said Jörgen Olsson, CEO of Viscaria.
The CRMA aims to strengthen Europe’s supply of critical raw materials by promoting projects of importance to the EU’s industrial competitiveness, electrification and energy transition. Copper is particularly important for the expansion of electricity grids and renewable energy, as well as for the electrification of society.