Norway: Opening of an area on the Norwegian continental shelf for mineral activities

As previously reported, in 2023 the government of Norway formally proposed the opening up of the Norwegian continental shelf to mineral exploration and exploitation activities (see full timeline). On 9 January 2024, the Norwegian parliament positively considered the government’s proposal for the opening of an area on the Norwegian continental shelf for mineral activities, including the adoption of 4 recommendations. Section 1(6) and Section 2 of the Seabed Minerals Act provide that for actors other than the State of Norway, an area must first be opened before exploration or exploitation licences can be granted. According the the Ministry of Energy, a precautionary approach will be adopted and the process of announcing areas for applications and awarding extraction licenses will begin in 2024.