Norway: recommendation on continental shelf mineral works approved

The Government of Norway approved (20 June 2023) and published a recommendation on mineral works on the Norwegian continental shelf. The recommendation proposes to open parts of the Norwegian continental shelf for commercial seabed mineral activities. The Government’s white paper may be found here, together with supporting studies and impact assessment. Before an area can be opened for mineral activities, an opening process must be carried out; this process was initiated by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy in 2020. The Act relating to mineral activities on the Norwegian continental shelf – the Seabed Minerals Act – entered into force on 1 July 2019.