Talga Group has been granted approval to commence mining activities at its Nunasvaara South graphite operation in northern Sweden. The go-ahead, issued by the country’s Mining Inspectorate on October 17, permits the Perth-based company to exploit the concession for 25 years, with options for extensions.
This mine will supply Talga’s battery anode manufacturing plant in Luleå, located approximately 300 km south of Nunasvaara South, and is part of the broader Vittangi Anode Project. Talga plans to extract around 120,000 tonnes of high-grade natural graphite annually, which will be concentrated on-site and processed into lithium-ion battery anode material in Luleå.
CEO Martin Phillips emphasized that this approved concession is a crucial step toward establishing the integrated Vittangi Anode Project and advancing the EU’s production of this critical strategic material. He expressed optimism about completing the project’s remaining permitting processes.
The company noted that the board’s ability to approve a final investment decision depends on finalizing several permits and advancing various offtake agreements. Production is expected to start within 18 to 24 months following that decision.
This mining approval comes after Talga received an environmental permit in April 2023, which is currently subject to appeals in the Swedish Supreme Court. Talga stated that the case has progressed and has recently been assigned to a judge for review.
Similarly, the mining approval process allows for appeals to be filed with Sweden’s Ministry of Climate and Enterprise within a five-week window.
