2026-06-152025/26:NU27 · p.5NUBusiness & energy
Prohibition on mining alum shale
A national ban on mining in alum shale
What's at stake: Alum shale contains uranium and other critical minerals, but mining risks releasing heavy metals, radioactive substances and large carbon dioxide emissions, with consequences for nearby watercourses, lakes and drinking-water sources, as well as for the municipalities and residents near planned mining areas, for example in Västergötland and Jämtland.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether a blanket ban on all alum shale mining should be introduced, or whether such extraction should continue to be allowed and instead regulated through environmental permitting and specific safety and radiation-protection requirements.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motion for a ban on mining in alum shale. The full reasoning for this point is missing from the available material.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 8 (V, C, MP)
V, C and MP hold that all mining in alum shale carries major risks to nature, ecosystems and biodiversity, since the mining releases heavy metals and radioactive substances that can leak into nearby watercourses and lakes and harm human health. The parties point out that safe, proven techniques for large-scale mining able to guarantee that sulphuric acid, heavy metals and radioactive substances do not leak out are currently lacking, and that the mining also causes substantial carbon dioxide emissions, even though mining is already planned in both Västergötland and Jämtland. They therefore want a ban on all mining in alum shale to be introduced.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 8 by V, C, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/21/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | Yes | Yes 105/0/0/1 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| MP | No | No 0/18/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: high | not addressed |
| C | Yes | No 0/24/0/0 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | Yes | Yes 16/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| KD | Yes | Yes 19/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| M | Yes | Yes 66/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| SD | Yes | Yes 70/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects motion 2025/26:3982 by Katarina Luhr et al. (MP) request 3.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2025/26:3982 av Katarina Luhr m.fl. (MP) yrkande 3.
Riksdag decision: The Government wants extraction and processing of nuclear materials to be treated the same way as other metals and minerals within the framework of the consolidated permit process. The Riksdag approved the Government's proposal. The purpose of the Government's proposal is for the assessment process for activities involving both extraction and processing of nuclear materials to increasingly resemble the assessment process for other mining operations. This means the process for initiating such activities becomes more transparent and efficient. The changes are made to create appropriate regulation for extraction and processing of nuclear materials, where radiation protection and safety requirements are adapted to the risks of the activity. The proposals mean that extraction and processing of uranium at an overall level will be treated the same way as other metals and minerals within the framework of the consolidated permit process. This results in particular in the Government's permit assessment under the Environmental Code no longer covering facilities for extraction and processing of nuclear materials. This simultaneously means that municipal council approval will no longer be required for such activity to be permitted. The Business Committee agrees with the Government's assessment that this adaptation of the regulatory framework makes it more logical and predictable. Overall, this creates better conditions for activities of strategic importance for the country's energy supply, as well as for Sweden to contribute to both a higher degree of self-sufficiency in critical metals and minerals within the EU and the green transition. The legislative changes enter into force on 15 July 2026.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants municipal approval to remain a requirement for uranium extraction activities. (V, C, MP) — Reservation 8
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan demands ambitious environmental goals that are followed up with sharp legislation and comprehensive work for rich ecosystems, while the climate crisis shall be solved and biological diversity protected.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan demands ambitious environmental goals that are followed up with sharp legislation and comprehensive work for rich ecosystems, while the climate crisis shall be solved and biological diversity protected. Mining in alum shale releases heavy metals and radioactive substances and entails large carbon dioxide emissions, which stands in direct conflict with those commitments. The plan also wants mining to be driven with a long-term holistic perspective and not based on one-sided profit interests.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver ambitiösa miljömål som följs upp med skarp lagstiftning och ett heltäckande arbete för rika ekosystem, samtidigt som klimatkrisen ska lösas och den biologiska mångfalden skyddas. Brytning i alunskiffer frigör tungmetaller och radioaktiva ämnen och innebär stora koldioxidutsläpp, vilket står i direkt konflikt med de åtagandena. Planen vill dessutom att gruvbrytning drivs med ett långsiktigt helhetsperspektiv och inte utifrån ensidiga vinstintressen.
- ambitious environmental goals with sharp legislationdecisive»miljömål som följs upp med skarp lagstiftning och praktiskt arbete.« (party programme ↗)“environmental goals that are followed up with sharp legislation and practical work.”
- protect biological diversity»Vi måste lösa klimatkrisen och skydda den biologiska mångfalden« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We must solve the climate crisis and protect biological diversity”
- restore and protect ecosystems»skapa goda villkor för rika ekosystem, bland annat genom att återställa« (party programme ↗)“create good conditions for rich ecosystems, among other things through restoring”
- mining with holistic perspective»Vi vill gå mot ett större gemensamt ägande av gruvbrytningen i« (party programme ↗)“We want to move toward greater collective ownership of mining in”
The plan demands sustainable extraction and use of natural resources and good conditions for industry throughout the country, that is regulated mining rather than a total ban.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan demands sustainable extraction and use of natural resources and good conditions for industry throughout the country, that is regulated mining rather than a total ban. A ban on all mining of alum shale lacks support in the plan. However, the plan's requirements for a toxic-free environment and protection of biological diversity set high environmental requirements for each individual establishment.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver hållbar utvinning och användning av naturresurser samt goda förutsättningar för industri i hela landet, alltså reglerad brytning snarare än totalförbud. Ett förbud mot all gruvbrytning i alunskiffer saknar stöd i planen. Planens krav på giftfri miljö och värn av biologisk mångfald ställer däremot höga miljökrav på varje enskild etablering.
- sustainable natural resource extractiondecisive»Hållbar utvinning och användning av naturresurser, med ekonomisk kompensation till« (party programme ↗)“Sustainable extraction and use of natural resources, with economic compensation to”
- conditions for industry»Goda förutsättningar för industrietableringar och utveckling av befintlig industri i hela« (party programme ↗)“Good conditions for industrial establishments and development of existing industry throughout”
- toxic-free environment»Giftfri miljö med ren luft och rent vatten i hela Sverige.« (party programme ↗)“Toxic-free environment with clean air and clean water throughout Sweden.”
- protected nature»Värn av biologisk mångfald och Sveriges värdefulla natur och vattenmiljöer.« (party programme ↗)“Protection of biological diversity and Sweden's valuable natural and aquatic environments.”
The counter-proposal wants to ban all extraction in alum shale because it releases heavy metals and radioactive substances that can leak into watercourses.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal wants to ban all extraction in alum shale because it releases heavy metals and radioactive substances that can leak into watercourses. The plan requires that uranium extraction be banned, that the precautionary principle be applied to greater extent already where damage is assumed and that more water sources be protected against exploitation and pollution. New mines should moreover be considered only as a last resort.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget vill förbjuda all brytning i alunskiffer eftersom den frigör tungmetaller och radioaktiva ämnen som kan läcka ut i vattendrag. Planen kräver att uranbrytning förbjuds, att försiktighetsprincipen tillämpas i högre utsträckning redan vid antagen skada och att fler vattentäkter skyddas mot exploatering och föroreningar. Nya gruvor ska dessutom övervägas först i sista hand.
- ban on uranium extractiondecisive»förbjudas, inga nya tillstånd för torvbrytning ska ges och uranbrytning ska vara« (party programme ↗)“be banned, no new permits for peat extraction shall be given and uranium extraction shall be”
- the precautionary principle»ska försiktighetsprincipen tillämpas i högre utsträckning och försiktighetsmått ska« (party programme ↗)“shall the precautionary principle be applied to greater extent and precautionary measures shall”
- protected water sources»vattentäkter skyddas mot exploatering och föroreningar.« (party programme ↗)“water sources be protected against exploitation and pollution.”
- new mines last»tredje hand ska redan existerande gruvor användas och först därefter bör nya gruvor« (party programme ↗)“third hand should existing mines be used and only thereafter should new mines”
The election manifesto establishes that Sweden must make use of its natural resources and that it is better that we ourselves extract more minerals and metals than import them from countries with worse conditions.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto establishes that Sweden must make use of its natural resources and that it is better that we ourselves extract more minerals and metals than import them from countries with worse conditions. A national ban on all mining in alum shale is incompatible with that commitment, and the plan moreover prefers that decisions be made close to those affected rather than general bans. The plan's water environment goals point the other way, hence low certainty.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet slår fast att Sverige måste ta vara på sina naturresurser och att det är bättre att vi själva utvinner mer mineral och metaller än att importera dem från länder med sämre villkor. Ett nationellt förbud mot all brytning i alunskiffer är oförenligt med det åtagandet, och planen föredrar dessutom att beslut fattas nära dem som berörs framför generella förbud. Planens vattenmiljömål talar åt andra hållet, därav låg säkerhet.
- make use of natural resourcesdecisive»För att klara den gröna omställningen måste vi ta vara på Sveriges naturresurser.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“To manage the green transition we must make use of Sweden's natural resources.”
- domestic mineral extraction»Det är bättre att Sverige tar ansvar och utvinner mer mineral och metaller istället för att fortsätta importera dem från länder med större klimatavtryck och sämre arbetsvillkor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is better that Sweden takes responsibility and extracts more minerals and metals instead of continuing to import them from countries with greater climate footprint and worse working conditions.”
- local decisions rather than national bans»Decentralisera mera. Människor ska få bestämma mer själva, och politiska beslut ska fattas nära dem som berörs.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Decentralise more. People should be able to determine more themselves, and political decisions should be made close to those affected.”
- protect lakes and watercourses»Rädda Sveriges sjöar, vattendrag och hav.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Save Sweden's lakes, watercourses and seas.”
flags: utskottets_skal_saknas_i_underlaget
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan's environmental policy is based on knowledge, economic instruments, clear environmental requirements and tightened oversight rather than on general bans against an entire extraction method.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's environmental policy is based on knowledge, economic instruments, clear environmental requirements and tightened oversight rather than on general bans against an entire extraction method. Protection of water sources and the precautionary principle argue for strict requirements on the activity, but the plan does not propose bans as a tool. A national total ban on mining in alum shale thus lacks support in the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planens miljöpolitik bygger på kunskap, ekonomiska styrmedel, tydliga miljökrav och skärpt tillsyn snarare än på generella förbud mot en hel brytningsmetod. Skyddet av vattentäkter och försiktighetsprincipen talar för hårda krav på verksamheten, men planen anvisar inte förbud som verktyg. Ett nationellt totalförbud mot brytning i alunskiffer saknar därför stöd i planen.
- knowledge-based environmental policydecisive»Liberal miljöpolitik handlar om ansvarstagande utifrån kunskap och marknadsekonomiskt tänkande.« (party programme ↗)“Liberal environmental policy is about responsibility-taking based on knowledge and market-economic thinking.”
- tightened oversight»Tillsynen behöver förbättras och sanktionerna skärpas.« (party programme ↗)“Oversight needs to improve and sanctions be tightened.”
- protection of water»Alla har rätt till rent vatten. Dricksvattenförsörjningen måste säkras och fler yt- och grundvattentäkter ges skydd.« (party programme ↗)“Everyone has the right to clean water. Drinking-water supply must be secured and more surface and groundwater sources given protection.”
- the precautionary principle»Kemikalielagstiftningen ska utgå från försiktighetsprincipen.« (party programme ↗)“Chemical legislation shall be based on the precautionary principle.”
The plan describes stewardship as a responsible use where humans are allowed to intervene in nature, if it is done in a long-term sustainable and careful way, and explicitly distances itself from a view of nature where humans are not allowed to manage.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan describes stewardship as a responsible use where humans are allowed to intervene in nature, if it is done in a long-term sustainable and careful way, and explicitly distances itself from a view of nature where humans are not allowed to manage. A general ban on all extraction in alum shale is such a total stop. The precautionary principle justifies strict requirements in individual review rather than a ban.
Original (Swedish)
Planen beskriver förvaltarskapet som ett ansvarsfullt brukande där människan får ingripa i naturen, om det sker långsiktigt hållbart och varsamt, och tar uttryckligen avstånd från en natursyn där människan inte tillåts förvalta. Ett generellt förbud mot all brytning i alunskiffer är ett sådant totalstopp. Försiktighetsprincipen motiverar hårda krav i den enskilda prövningen snarare än ett förbud.
- stewardship is active usedecisive»Förvaltarskapet innebär inte ett passivt förhållningssätt utan är utvecklande och förädlande« (party programme ↗)“Stewardship does not mean a passive approach but is developmental and refining”
- careful but active use»Människan kan därför ingripa och påverka naturen, men ska göra det på ett« (party programme ↗)“Humans can therefore intervene and influence nature, but shall do so in a”
- rejects ecosophy»färgad natursyn, ekosofismen, där människan varken tillåts ingripa i naturen eller förvalta« (party programme ↗)“tinted view of nature, ecosophy, where humans are neither allowed to intervene in nature nor manage”
- the precautionary principle»skada på miljön, måste extra försiktighet tillämpas.« (party programme ↗)“harm to the environment, extra caution must be applied.”
The plan states that Sweden's rich mineral resources shall be able to be extracted responsibly and sustainably in the long term, and that environmental policy shall be guided by science and facts rather than by general prohibitions.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that Sweden's rich mineral resources shall be able to be extracted responsibly and sustainably in the long term, and that environmental policy shall be guided by science and facts rather than by general prohibitions. A total ban on all mining in alum shale closes off access to metals needed to reduce vulnerability. The requirement is rejected.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sveriges rika mineraltillgångar ska kunna utvinnas ansvarsfullt och långsiktigt hållbart, och att miljöpolitiken ska styras av vetenskap och fakta snarare än av generella förbud. Ett totalförbud mot all brytning i alunskiffer stänger tillgången på metaller som behövs för att minska sårbarheten. Kravet avvisas.
- ansvarsfull mineralutvinningdecisive»Våra rika mineraltillgångar ska kunna utvinnas ansvarsfullt och långsiktigt hållbart.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Our rich mineral resources shall be able to be extracted responsibly and sustainably in the long term.”
- kunskapsbaserad miljöpolitikweak support»Vetenskap och fakta ska vara ledande i klimat- och miljöpolitiken.« (party programme ↗)“Science and facts shall be leading in climate and environmental policy.”
- minskad sårbarhet»Det nya säkerhetsläget i Europa gör att vi som land måste minska vår sårbarhet och öka vår självförsörjningsgrad.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The new security situation in Europe means that we as a country must reduce our vulnerability and increase our self-sufficiency.”
flags: citat_svagt
The plan wants it to become easier and faster to open mines and criticizes a policy where mines are not permitted to start.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants it to become easier and faster to open mines and criticizes a policy where mines are not permitted to start. A total prohibition on all mining in alum shale runs directly counter to this commitment. The plan also warns that Swedish special requirements that are stricter than the rest of the world undermine domestic industries without global environmental benefit.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill att det ska bli enklare och snabbare att öppna gruvor och kritiserar en politik där gruvor inte får startas. Ett totalförbud mot all brytning i alunskiffer går rakt emot detta åtagande. Planen varnar dessutom för att svenska särkrav som är strängare än omvärldens slår ut inhemska näringar utan global miljönytta.
- easier miningdecisive»Det behöver också bli enklare och gå snabbare att öppna gruvor för de mineraler som behövs för exempelvis tillverkning av batterier.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It also needs to become easier and faster to open mines for the minerals needed for example in battery manufacturing.”
- criticism of closure policy»Gruvor får inte startas, fiskodlingar flyttas till våra grannländer och skog tas ut ur produktion mot markägarnas vilja.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Mines are not permitted to start, fish farms are relocated to our neighbouring countries and forest is taken out of production against the landowners' will.”
- effective permitting processes»Effektivisera och öka förutsägbarheten i tillståndsprocesserna för gruvnäring, elnätsutbyggnad och industri« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Streamline and increase predictability in permitting processes for mining, electrical grid expansion and industry.”
- special requirements undermine industries»Strängare miljö- och utsläppskrav i Sverige jämfört med i omvärlden riskerar ofta att slå ut svenska näringar och få globalt kontraproduktiva resultat när det kommer till de mål kraven syftar till att uppnå.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Stricter environmental and emissions requirements in Sweden compared to abroad often risk undermining Swedish industries and producing globally counterproductive results when it comes to the goals those requirements aim to achieve.”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:NU27)
- Committee report full text (HD01NU27)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:3959 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:168 Ändamålsenliga säkerhets- och strålskyddskrav för utvinning och bearbetning av kärnämnen av Birger Lahti m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:3973 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:168 Ändamålsenliga säkerhets- och strålskyddskrav för utvinning och bearbetning av kärnämnen av Fredrik Olovsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:3982 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:168 Ändamålsenliga säkerhets- och strålskyddskrav för utvinning och bearbetning av kärnämnen av Katarina Luhr m.fl. (MP)
- Proposition 2025/26:168 — Ändamålsenliga säkerhets- och strålskyddskrav för utvinning och bearbetning av kärnämnen
Source: The Swedish Parliament