Two major heavy rare earth projects have reached significant development milestones as Europe and its Western partners seek to strengthen strategic mineral supply chains. Leading Edge Materials’ Norra Kärr project in Sweden has secured a long-term mining concession, while Critical Metals has launched a major drilling program and consolidated ownership of the Tanbreez project in Greenland.
The projects represent different stages of development, with regulatory progress, exploration, ownership restructuring and future resource expansion shaping their advancement toward potential production.
Norra Kärr secures long-term exploitation concession
Leading Edge Materials announced that its wholly owned Swedish subsidiary, GREENNA Mineral AB, has been granted a 25-year exploitation concession by the Swedish government for the Norra Kärr K Nr. 2 heavy rare earth project.
The company stated that Norra Kärr ranks among Europe’s richest rare earth deposits, with a notably high concentration of dysprosium, terbium and yttrium. These heavy rare earth elements are widely used in the manufacture of high-performance permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, defense systems and other advanced technologies. The exploitation concession represents a major regulatory milestone for the project, although additional development work remains before mining operations can begin.
Environmental approvals and project development remain ahead
Following the concession award, Norra Kärr will continue through additional project development stages, including environmental permitting, updated technical studies, offtake negotiations and financing activities. The newly issued mining concession advances the project’s regulatory position while leaving further permitting and development work to be completed before construction decisions can be made.
Tanbreez drilling campaign targets resource growth
In Greenland, Critical Metals announced on June 17 the start of a 10,000-meter drilling program at the Tanbreez heavy rare earth project. The drilling campaign is intended to support resource expansion, geological modelling, mine planning and future project development activities. Although located outside the European Union, Tanbreez remains strategically important to Europe and other Western markets because Greenland is regarded as a key jurisdiction for future critical mineral supply.
Ownership consolidation strengthens project control
Project ownership was further clarified in April, when the Government of Greenland approved the transfer of the remaining 50.5% interest in Tanbreez Mining Greenland A/S to Critical Metals. Following the transaction, Critical Metals increased its ownership of the project to 92.5%, while European Lithium retained the remaining 7.5% interest. Together, the two companies control the project, which Critical Metals describes as one of the world’s largest known deposits of heavy rare earth elements.
The ownership structure could change further following Critical Metals’ agreement to acquire European Lithium in a transaction valued at approximately US$835 million. According to Reuters, completion of the acquisition would give Critical Metals full ownership of the Tanbreez project. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2026. While Norra Kärr is advancing through Sweden’s permitting process following receipt of its long-term exploitation concession, Tanbreez is progressing through drilling, resource definition, mine planning and ownership consolidation as development activities continue.
