Heidelberg Materials Sweden has welcomed the approval for a 30-year mining permit in Slite, Sweden.
The Gotland site has been mined for its limestone reserves for years. The long-term permit includes conditions for extensive investments needed for the climate transition.
Heidelberg Materials welcomed the news as it will provide long-term cement supply for Sweden’s construction sector.
“It is very welcome news for us and for the entire Swedish construction sector when the court confirms that it is possible to conduct long-term cement production on Gotland,” Heidelberg Materials Sweden vice president Karin Comstedt Webb said.
“In order to be able to implement the planned investments in Slite, it is of utmost importance that a long appeal process is now avoided. A long-term secured supply of raw materials through a legally binding permit plays a crucial role in enabling necessary investments in the Swedish cement industry”
The current limestone operation is currently operated inder a mining permit that is valid until the end of 2026/27 or a new mining permit is applied for, according to Heidelberg Materials.
Heidelberg Materials is working towards a large investment in carbon capture (CCS) technology in Slite. The company has estimated that the CCS would reduce Sweden’s carbon emissions by 4 per cent.
“We see the court’s decision as confirmation of the conclusions in our application: that it is possible to continue extracting limestone in Slite in coexistence with water resources, protected areas and protected species, while at the same time we can contribute to a strengthened drinking water supply on Gotland,” Comstedt Webb said.
