Norway’s Storting has reached a cross-party agreement on a new mineral law, marking a significant shift in how access to state-owned minerals is regulated. The compromise grants landowners more influence over exploration activities on their property.
Cross-party consensus in the Storting
Parties from across the political spectrum—including the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet), Conservative Party (Høyre), Progress Party (Frp), Socialist Left Party (SV), Liberal Party (Venstre) and the Green Party (MDG)—have united behind a revised proposal. According to a joint statement, the law ensures both coordination in exploration permits and the requirement for landowner consent when any surface intervention occurs.
This development came during the parliamentary debate on the government’s broader proposal, first introduced in March, aimed at boosting domestic mineral extraction to support Norway’s green and industrial transitions.
A shift in power over state-owned minerals
One of the most debated aspects of the law concerned state-owned minerals, which include valuable resources such as rare earth elements. Until now, private companies could obtain exploration permits for these minerals with limited input from local landowners.
The new agreement changes this by making landowner consent mandatory for any surface exploration on their property—even when the minerals belong to the state. This shift was backed by a parliamentary majority, despite opposition from parts of the government coalition.
Strategic resources and local interests
Norway’s mineral resources are increasingly seen as strategically important for the European supply chain, particularly in the context of green technologies. However, exploration and mining activities often raise concerns about environmental impacts and local autonomy.
The revised law reflects a growing emphasis on balancing national resource strategies with respect for local rights and environmental standards. It remains to be seen how this will affect investment in the sector, especially in Northern Norway, where many mineral deposits are located.
Next steps and implementation
The approved text will now undergo final legislative procedures before entering into force. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet) is expected to publish detailed guidelines on how the new consent requirements will be implemented in practice.
The law represents a landmark moment in Norway’s mineral policy, highlighting the country’s effort to combine strategic extraction with stronger protections for landowners and communities.
