On Tuesday evening, a clear majority in the Nome municipal council voted in favor of state management of Fensfeltet, with 15 votes in favor and 6 against, according to council records. The municipal council is thereby transferring planning responsibility to the government, with the goal of ensuring sufficient funding and progress in the enormous mining project, council documents show. The Fensfeltet in Nome has Europe's largest deposit of rare earth elements beneath the earth's crust, minerals needed in mobile phones, batteries, and defense, geological surveys indicate.
On Wednesday afternoon, the municipal director presented his recommendation on which area the mining operations at Fensfeltet in Nome should be located, the municipality reported. The municipality has not been able to choose one alternative but recommends both Nuke and Bærevann, according to the director's statement. The matter will be presented for processing in the community development committee on March 26 and in the municipal council on April 21, municipal officials said.
Residents in Nome demand to be heard regarding the plans for Fensfeltet, local groups state. The group 'Nukedalens Venner' has collected 1,825 signatures against the establishment of a deposit in Nukedalen, the group reported. They are clear that they are not against the mining project itself at Fensfeltet, as they understand it is an important national initiative, but they believe that the location in Nuke is completely unacceptable, according to group representatives.
The municipality is demanding an agreement with the state that ensures local residents can participate in decision-making, council documents show. Key unknowns remain about the specific terms of this agreement and when the government will officially take over planning responsibility.