Metal and minerals are crucial for achieving the Agenda 2030 goals, and Sweden is pioneering the development of sustainability in the mining and metals sector. To secure our position – and show global leadership – a new strategic research and innovation agenda is now presented.
The new agenda highlights critical areas of research and innovation. Swedish Mining Innovation then bases its announcements on these.
– Access to sustainably produced metals and minerals is crucial in order to create a sustainable society. They are needed to build new infrastructure, batteries, electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines and other hardware to enable green electricity supply, electrification and digitization. The agenda encapsulates the most important challenges to solve, and creates a clear direction for research and innovation work going forward, says Jenny Greberg, program director at Swedish Mining Innovation, the national strategic innovation programme for mining and metal producing industry.
Identifies necessary societal reforms
The agenda also aims to provide decision-makers and politicians with a reliable and broad-based source of intelligence about the mining industry’s challenges and needs to be able to reduce climate impact and contribute to climate change and society at large.
– The Swedish mining industry is considered the most sustainable in the world, thanks to efficient production methods, lower emissions than the industry in comparable countries and a good working environment. Sweden has a responsibility and a unique opportunity to show global leadership, says Katarina Nilsson, expert research and innovation at Svemin, the mining and metals trade association.
Gathers knowledge and needs
The research and innovation agenda aims to create a consensus on the needs and challenges that Sweden’s mining and metal mining industry faces. The agenda is based on a large amount of collected data and is co-created by nearly 100 representatives from large parts of industry, leading universities and research institutes as well as authorities.
– Research and innovation collaboration are crucial to accelerate the adjustment that is necessary for the future. The agenda is a good example of the broad support and unity that is characteristic of Sweden as an innovation country and which means that we are at the forefront internationally, says Cecilia Sjöberg, Head of Industrial Development at Vinnova, the Swedish Innovation Authority.
The agenda has been developed by Swedish Mining Innovation and Svemin in collaboration with representatives from research, industry, authorities and non-profit associations. It was published on May 12 at the Swedish Mining Research & Innovation Day.
