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    Seabed Minerals

    Timeline: Seabed Minerals

    This timeline provides an overview of the process of opening the Norwegian continental shelf for mineral activities on the seabed.

    In 2018, The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy presented a proposal for a Seabed Minerals Act, which was adopted by the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) in March 2019. The Seabed Minerals Act came into effect on July 1, 2019. In the spring of 2020, an opening process for mineral activity on parts of the Norwegian continental shelf was initiated. In January 2021 a proposal for an impact assessment program was submitted for public consultation. The program was adopted in September the same year.

    In June 2023, the government presented a report to the Storting (government white paper) on the opening of an area on the Norwegian continental shelf for mineral activities, including a strategy for the management of seabed mineral resources.

    • 2017

      • The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy initiated a public consultation on a proposal for a new law on mineral activities on the continental shelf (Wednesday, 10 May 2017)

        The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy initiated a public consultation on a proposal for a new law on mineral activities on the continental shelf.
        Read more here.

    • 2018

      • The Solberg government presented a proposal for a new law on mineral activities on the continental shelf (The Seabed Minerals Act) (Friday, 22 June 2018)

        The Solberg government presented a proposal for a new law on mineral activities on the continental shelf (The Seabed Minerals Act).

    • 2019

    • 2020

      • The Solberg government started a process to open parts of the Norwegian continental shelf for mineral activities (Monday, 11 May 2020)

        The Solberg government started a process to open parts of the Norwegian continental shelf for mineral activities.

    • 2021

      • The Solberg government submitted a program proposal for the impact assessment for mineral activities on the Norwegian continental shelf for public consultation (Tuesday, 12 January 2021)

        The Solberg government submitted a program proposal for the impact assessment for mineral activities on the Norwegian continental shelf for public consultation. The program was adopted on September 10, 2021, based on 53 received consultation responses.

      • The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy adopted a program for the impact assessment of seabed minerals activities (Friday, 10 September 2021)

        The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy adopted a program for the impact assessment of seabed minerals activities, based on 53 consultation responses.

    • 2022

      • The impact assessment for mineral activities on the Norwegian continental shelf was submitted for consultation (Thursday, 27 October 2022)

        The impact assessment for mineral activities on the Norwegian continental shelf was submitted for consultation, with the deadline for responses set for January 27, 2023.

    • 2023

      • The Støre government is facilitating a new ocean industry - seabed mineral activities (Tuesday, 20 June 2023)

        The government proposes to open parts of the Norwegian continental shelf for commercial seabed mineral activities. In addition, the government presents a strategy demonstrating how Norway aims to be a global leader in a fact- and knowledge-based management of seabed mineral resources. Environmental considerations will be safeguarded throughout the value chain, and extraction will only be permitted if the industry can demonstrate sustainability and responsible practices.

        Read more:

    • 2024

      • Norway gives green light for seabed minerals (Wednesday, 10 January 2024)

        On 9 January, the Norwegian parliament (Storting) considered the government's proposal for opening an area for mineral activities on the Norwegian continental shelf. With the parliament’s decision, the basis is now laid for a gradual and responsible development of seabed minerals, based on a precautionary approach.

        Read more:

      • Opening of an area on the Norwegian continental shelf for mineral activities (Friday, 12 April 2024)

        The King in Council has today formally decided to open an area in the Norwegian Sea and the Greenland Sea for mineral activities.

        Read more:

      • Public consultation of the first licensing round for seabed minerals (Wednesday, 26 June 2024)

        The Ministry of Energy has presented a proposal for the announcement of the first licensing round for seabed minerals on the Norwegian continental shelf for public consultation. The proposal sets out the areas where the companies will be able to apply for exploitation licenses, so that exploration and gathering knowledge about whether there is a basis for sustainable mineral exploitation on the Norwegian shelf can begin.

        Read more: