Prince Bertil Seminar: Rare Earths, Real Impact
Schedule
Tue, 11 Nov, 2025 at 02:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
Vasagatan 1, 411 24 Gothenburg, Sweden | Gothenburg, VG
Advertisement
Free seminar! Both on site and via zoom. Register here: https://www.gu.se/en/event/pb2025The green transition and technological advancements have sharply increased the demand for metals and minerals. Critical metals are essential for advancing renewable energy technologies and electrification efforts as the functioning of electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, solar panels and fuel cells depend on critical metals. The Nordic region has significant deposits of critical metals such as rare earth elements (REEs), vanadium, and cobalt. Nevertheless, the Nordic countries, including Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Greenland, face significant challenges related to mineral extraction.
Despite having substantial potential for critical metals and minerals, the region's extraction activities are not fully utilized, leading to dependency on external sources for essential raw materials. The dependency also leads to geopolitical risks and supply chain vulnerabilities related to critical Metals. Much of the world's mineral production is controlled by countries outside the EU, such as China and Russia. There is also a spurring development related to the recycling of rare earth minerals. This development implies that the management of critical minerals is developing into a circular model.
PROGRAM
Welcome and introduction
Oskar Broberg, Vice dean, Handelshögskolan
REE deposits, mining and exploration in global and European perspectives
Erik Jonsson, Government geologist, SGU (Geological Survey of Sweden)
Keeping REEs in the economy and out of the environment: technical and economic challenges
Mats Linder, Circular Economy expert and strategist, Stena Recycling
The future competitiveness of European automotive industry: Building a resilient and competitive value chain from supply of raw materials to Giga factories
Johan Lannering, Head of Strategy & Collaboration, Volvo Car Corporation
Panel discussion with Erik Jonsson, Mats Linder and a representative from the business community
Moderator: Sarah Franz, Associate Senior Lecturer in Economic Geography, Handelshögskolan
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
Vasagatan 1, 411 24 Gothenburg, Sweden, Vasagatan 1, SE-411 24 Göteborg, Sverige, Gothenburg, SwedenEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
