The Washington PostThe Washington Post

Sweden's new rare-earth metal find likely big deal for Western consumers

By Niha Masih

13 Jan 2023 · 3 min read

Editor's Note

A Swedish mining company found what may be Europe’s largest known deposit of rare earth elements. The discovery could make Europe less dependent on China and Russia. The Washington Post explains.

Sweden has discovered what is billed as Europe's biggest deposit of rare earth minerals - a crucial component of electronics and clean energy technology - giving a significant boost to the continent's hunt for trade security.

LKAB, the Swedish state-owned mining company, announced Thursday that it found deposits of more than 1 million tons of rare earth metals in the country's far northern Lapland province.

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