Denna studie syftar till att belysa samhällsaktörers perspektiv kring gruvbrytning av kritiska råvaror i led med klimatomställningen. Studien undersöker hur samhällsaktörer belyser effekterna av en eventuell kommande gruvetablering i byn Vittangi i norra Sverige. Genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med fem samhällsaktörer, i kombination med en tematisk analys, har olika rättvisekonflikter undersökts för att skapa en insikt och ge ett nyanserat kritiskt perspektiv. Analysen av resultatet har utgått från teorin av miljörättvisa och påvisar flertalet målkonflikter som uppstått i samband med den potentiella gruvetableringen i Vittangi. Slutsatserna tydliggör intressekonflikter och baseras på hur det påverkar aktörerna, vilket synliggör perspektiven på gruvbrytning av kritiska råvaror som ett led av klimatomställningen. / This study aims to shed light on the perspectives of social actors regarding the mining of critical raw materials in connection with climate change. The study examines how social actors highlight the effects of a possible future mine establishment in the village of Vittangi in northern Sweden. Through semi-structured interviews with five social actors, in combination with a thematic analysis, various justice conflicts have been investigated to create insight and to provide a nuanced critical perspective. The analysis of the result has been based on the theory of environmental justice and demonstrates the majority of goal conflicts that arose in connection with the potential mine establishment in Vittangi. The conclusions clarify conflicts of interest and are based on how they affect the actors, which makes the perspectives visible on the mining of critical raw materials as part of the climate transition.

Global energy transitions and rises in demand for critical raw materials (CRMs) are predicted to reshape global politics in yet uncertain but profound ways. With CRMs being vital for Europe’s decarbonization process, the present study sets out to examine the EU’s geopolitical discourse by taking an inquisitive yet critical stance focusing particularly on the new “geopolitical” Commission’s geopolitical reasoning on CRMs. Building upon critical geopolitics, a discourse analysis was conducted on 9 European Commission communications (2019–2020). Three key observations were made: first, a ‘geopolitical’ and ‘assertive’ EU is crucial in an increasingly ‘fragile’, ‘polarized’ and ‘competitive’ world. Second, securing CRMs is a ‘security question’, requiring ‘strategic approaches and partnerships’, notably with ‘resource–rich regions’ and particularly with Africa. Third, the EU’s narrative is ambiguous. While classical geopolitical assumptions are distinguishable, it remains questionable whether the EU will depart from its familiar path of liberal cooperation, multilateralism and trade when scouting for CRMs, although its role as a “benign ally” can be questioned. Further studies on the EU’s geopolitical reasoning, along with its actual practice in the area of CRMs, are warranted. Likewise, a critical reading of reports and foresight preceding EU policymaking is encouraged, to better comprehend how the EU’s dominating geopolitical discourse on CRMs and subsequent practice is produced in the first place.