LKAB’s Per Geijer deposit in northern Sweden has emerged as one of Europe’s largest rare-earth resource developments, combining substantial mineral inventories with strategic designation under European critical minerals policy while continuing to face permitting and land-use challenges.
Located in the Kiruna region, the project is being advanced by an established mining operator and forms part of a broader portfolio of critical mineral initiatives that have received recognition from European authorities.
Resource inventory includes rare earths, iron ore and phosphorus-bearing material
LKAB reported that mineral resources at Per Geijer total approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of iron ore and phosphorus-bearing material.
The resource estimate also contains around 2.2 million tonnes of in-situ rare-earth oxides, making the deposit one of the largest identified rare-earth resources in Europe according to the company. The European Commission has granted strategic project status to Per Geijer and associated LKAB critical minerals initiatives, placing the development within the framework of Europe’s efforts to strengthen domestic raw material supply.
Integration with existing Kiruna mining operations
The project is located within the Kiruna mining district, where LKAB already operates established mining infrastructure and industrial facilities. Per Geijer is positioned to contribute domestic supplies of rare earths, phosphorus-bearing material, and high-quality iron ore while leveraging an existing mining region rather than requiring development of an entirely new mining district.
Its location within an established operational area forms part of the project’s broader industrial development framework.
Permitting process remains ongoing
Despite its strategic designation, the project has not yet secured all required regulatory approvals. Per Geijer still requires both a mining concession and an environmental permit before development can proceed.
Both approvals are subject to appeal processes under existing regulatory frameworks, making permitting a key component of the project’s advancement pathway. The regulatory process remains central to determining future development timelines for the deposit.
Indigenous land-use concerns highlighted
Reuters reported that the Stockholm Environment Institute warned that LKAB’s plans could affect the rights of Indigenous Sami reindeer-herding communities.
The concerns relate to land use and potential impacts on traditional reindeer herding activities in northern Sweden. The issue has become a significant consideration within the project’s permitting and stakeholder engagement process. LKAB has stated that it seeks dialogue and compensation measures in relation to these concerns.
Strategic designation alongside social and environmental review
The Per Geijer development reflects the interaction between critical mineral supply objectives, environmental permitting requirements, and Indigenous rights considerations.
While strategic project status may support project visibility and access to policy attention, the development remains subject to environmental review procedures, land-use assessments, stakeholder consultation processes, and applicable legal appeals.
Advancement of the project will continue through the concession and environmental permitting stages as LKAB pursues development of the 1.3-billion-tonne resource base containing 2.2 million tonnes of rare-earth oxides in northern Sweden.
