Two reports from the REESilience project – a collaboration between research institutions and industry partners – underline several key points. First, mining projects must consider social impacts early in the planning stages, not as an afterthought. Second, meaningful and ongoing public participation is essential to mitigate conflicts that often accompany mining operations.

“The REESilience project tackles pressing knowledge gaps surrounding critical mineral extraction in Norway. Beyond advancing technologies for the mining of Rare Earth Elements, it also engages with the complex social impacts of mineral extraction, highlighting often overlooked dimensions and demonstrating a shared commitment to responsible and equitable solutions,” – says Anna Sveinsdóttir, researcher at NRI.

For now, many of the factors that typically drive mining-related conflicts are absent in Nome. Interviews with residents revealed a wide variety of attitudes toward the development, with hopes that mining could bring jobs and new opportunities. However, concerns remain – ranging from fears about lack of transparency and environmental risks to doubts about whether the local communities will see real benefits from mining. Researchers stress the need for continued investigation into these issues, including mapping local concerns and identifying barriers to genuine community engagement.

The reports also show that Rare Earths Norway (REN), the company leading exploration, has made progress on community engagement. The firm has appointed a specific communications advisor, held numerous stakeholder meetings and established communication channels around its planned test extraction. These efforts reflect a willingness to build trust and involve local communities of interest, which historically has not always been the case in the mining sector.

A case study of the Tuftestollen pilot project illustrates both opportunities and challenges. While stakeholder meetings and dialogue initiatives have been welcomed, residents remain worried about noise, traffic, lack of local value creation and environmental impacts. Researchers conclude that addressing these concerns openly and proactively will be vital if REN is to establish and maintain public trust.

The overarching message is clear: Nome municipality, where the Fen Complex is located, as well as Norway, stand at a crossroads. Mining could bring economic revival and strengthen Europe’s supply of critical minerals – but only if the community is engaged meaningfully, transparently, and continuously.