Norway says Europe's 'largest' rare

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Published: 2026-09-23T16:34:41.500Z • Permanent link

A landmark discovery in Norway has revealed the presence of Europe's largest known deposit of rare earth elements, a group of 17 elements crucial for advanced technologies, including renewable energy systems, high-performance electronics, and medical equipment. The deposit, located in the Vestfold Hills, is believed to be one of the most significant rare earth element deposits in the world, with estimates suggesting it could hold up to 12 million metric tons of the valuable minerals.

The news has sent shockwaves through the global rare earth element market, with companies such as Lynas Corporation and China's Hightech Materials Group already scrambling to secure access to the Norwegian deposit. The project, known as the Vestfold Hills Rare Earth Project, has been in the works since 2017, with the Norwegian government initially awarding a mining concession to the Australian-based company, Lynas. However, the project has faced significant delays due to environmental concerns, particularly over plans to locate mineral-processing facilities in an area of forest.

According to Dr. Anne-Grethe Hovland, a renowned geologist and expert on rare earth elements, the Norwegian deposit is of particular significance due to its high concentration of the rare earth elements neodymium and dysprosium, which are essential components of wind turbine generators and electric vehicle motors. "The discovery of this deposit is a game-changer for the global rare earth element market," Dr. Hovland stated in an interview. "It has the potential to significantly reduce the world's reliance on China, which currently dominates the global rare earth element market.

The discovery of Europe's largest known rare earth element deposit has significant implications for the global market, with companies such as General Electric and 3M already relying on China for a large portion of their rare earth element supplies. The Norwegian deposit could provide a much-needed alternative, reducing the risk of supply chain disruptions and increasing the resilience of critical technologies. Furthermore, the deposit's high concentration of neodymium and dysprosium could also have a positive impact on the development of renewable energy systems, such as wind turbines and solar panels.

The discovery also has significant implications for the research community, with scientists and engineers from around the world eagerly awaiting access to the Norwegian deposit. The deposit's unique geology and high concentration of rare earth elements make it an ideal location for the development of new technologies, including advanced renewable energy systems and high-performance electronics. As Dr. Hovland noted, "The discovery of this deposit is a major breakthrough for the scientific community, and we can already see the potential for new discoveries and innovations.

The discovery of Europe's largest known rare earth element deposit is part of a larger trend of increasing investment in rare earth element exploration and development. In recent years, countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States have made significant strides in the exploration and development of rare earth element deposits, with many of these projects focused on the development of new technologies, including renewable energy systems and high-performance electronics. However, the Norwegian deposit is unique in its size and concentration of rare earth elements, and its discovery is likely to have a significant impact on the global market.