OECD RURAL STUDIES MINING REGIONS AND CITIES CASE OF VSTERBOTTEN AND NORRBOTTEN, SWEDEN.

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations and acronyms
Executive summary
	Assessment
	Key recommendations
		Becoming a global leader in environmentally sustainable mining
		Improving framework conditions for mining and sustainable regional development
1 Assessment and recommendations
	Assessment
		Upper Norrland is the key mining region in Sweden and has the potential to become a global leader in environmentally sustainable mining
			Upper Norrland, Sweden’s northernmost and least dense region, is a key mining region at the national and European levels
			Upper Norrland has currently a number of competitive advantages to become a global leader on environmentally sustainable mining
		Drawing on Upper Norrland’s assets, Sweden can play a key role in global environmental agendas and the EU strategy of raw materials
			Sweden’s policy framework puts a strong emphasis on innovation in mining as a vehicle to boost economic growth and accelerate the transition towards a zero-carbon economy
			Yet, Sweden needs to update its national mining strategy with a regional perspective and to improve the efficiency, predictability and transparency of its regulatory framework for mining
		Upper Norrland needs to strengthen its business ecosystem to mobilise its local assets and support a sustainable and resilient future for people and local business
			Outmigration of young population and ageing have led to a shrinking workforce in the region
			Upper Norrland needs to further involve municipalities and SMEs in the innovation process of firms and universities, boost entrepreneurship culture and prepare its workforce for technological changes
		Upper Norrland can improve internal and external co-operation to consolidate its vision of development and support global environmental agendas
		A more developed and inclusive mechanism of dialogue and consultation with all local stakeholders is necessary to improve acceptance and promote sustainable mining in Upper Norrland
		In Västerbotten and Norrbotten, there is a need to better link regional development objectives with land use
	Recommendations
		Becoming a global leader in environmentally sustainable mining
		Improving framework conditions for mining and sustainable regional development
2 Strengths and challenges in the regional development of Västerbotten and Norrbotten
	Introduction
	Megatrends affecting regions specialised in mining and extractive activities
		Mining regions will likely face a shrinking labour force
		Mining regions need to prepare for a transition to a low-carbon economy
		Technological change and digitalisation will open new opportunities for mining regions
	Upper Norrland, the mining region of Sweden
		Geography and climate shape a low-density settlement structure
		Northern Sweden is one of the most mineralised areas in Europe
	Settlements patterns have low density and are shrinking
		Inhabitants and population density
		The population of Upper Norrland is shrinking
			In summary
		Upper Norrland faces outmigration of young population
			In summary
		Ageing is an increasing trend in Upper Norrland
			In summary
	Regional economic trends
		Upper Norrland – A high-income region in the Swedish context
		Upper Norrland is vulnerable to external economic shocks
			In summary
		The unemployment rate is lower than Sweden but is increasing faster
			In summary
		Upper Norrland is highly specialised
		Upper Norrland is creating SMEs but at a slower pace than the country
			In summary
		The number of companies in the region is relatively high but growth has stagnated
			In summary
		The sectoral trends are changing
		Upper Norrland’s industrial productivity is high in the national context
			In summary
	Enabling factors for development
		Snapshot of quality of life in Upper Norrland
		Upper Norrland’s level of education stands out at the national level
		Upper Norrland is a highly innovative region
			In summary
	Annex 2.A. Selected OECD TL2 mining regions
	References
	Note
3 Unlocking development opportunities with an enhanced mining ecosystem for Västerbotten and Norrbotten
	Introduction
	The institutional environment for mining development in Sweden
		Navigating a challenging national context for mining
		The relevance of Sweden’s policy framework for mining development
			Sweden’s Mineral Strategy
			The National Strategy for Sustainable Regional Growth and Attractiveness
			The national innovation strategy
			Improving the national policy framework for the mining ecosystem
				Setting measures to increase local benefits from mining development
				Consolidating the “sustainable mining” trademark for Sweden’s mining sector
	The mining ecosystem of Upper Norrland
		The lead mining region in Sweden, with historic mines owned by a few Swedish companies
			A mining value chain with a local focus
		Assets of and challenges for the Upper Norrland mining ecosystem
			Assets
			Risks and bottlenecks.
	Unlocking growth opportunities for Upper Norrland
		Snapshot of the regional development strategies in Västerbotten and Norrbotten
			The regional development strategies have set mining as a driver for innovation
		Mobilising regional assets to become an international benchmark on environmentally sustainable mining
			Developing a broad innovation ecosystem by including municipalities and local businesses
				Involving local governments in the innovation system
				Increasing innovation capacity of SMEs to promote diversification
				Strengthening the implementation of smart specialisation strategies
			A better co-ordination to create an attractive environment for people and businesses
				Improving co-ordination among municipalities for a better business environment and labour market
				Strengthening the collaboration to upskill the workforce and address the shrinking labour force
			Enhancing regional and international collaboration to consolidate a unified vision on mining
				Consolidating a unified vision of mining development between Västerbotten and Norrbotten
				Greater international collaboration to mobilise the regional assets
	References
	Notes
4 Setting the right frameworks for sustainable mine development in Upper Norrland
	Introduction
	Improving the regulatory formwork to better reflect regional development opportunities
		Importance of a predictable and transparent regulatory system for regional development
		The status quo: Declining numbers of exploration permits and exploitation concessions and an increasing number of appeals
		The status quo: A complex multi-layered framework comprised of three essential permitting steps
		Avoiding delays and assuring predictability
		Improving trust and legitimacy in the permitting process
		Strengthening the decision-making process: The inclusion of socio-economic and cultural factors and accounting for cumulative effects
	Linking land use planning with regional economic development
		Recent reforms strengthen the role of regions in Sweden but an important gap between land use planning and regional development strategies persists
		The need for better special planning at a regional scale and increased co-operation
		Developing a platform for resource development to facilitate regional, sustainability-based planning for mining and resource projects
	References
	Notes