LEADING EDGE MATERIALS TO REAPPLY FOR NORRA KARR STRATEGIC PROJECT STATUS
Leading Edge Materials (LEMIF) announces that its Norra Kärr Heavy Rare Earth Elements Project was not included in the EU's first list of Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The company plans to reapply when new applications open.
Since its August 2024 application, the company has made progress including submitting a new application for a 25-year mining lease (Exploitation Concession). The company's Rapid Development Plan aims for quick production of heavy rare earth element concentrate and nepheline syenite through a phased development approach, focusing on minimizing risk and environmental impact.
The project's redesign prioritizes environmental protection while proposing sustainable mining operations to supply critical heavy rare earth elements and industrial minerals. The company maintains that Norra Kärr remains essential to Sweden and Europe's HREE supply, particularly given current geopolitical tensions and trade challenges.
Leading Edge Materials (LEMIF) annuncia che il suo Progetto Norra Kärr per gli Elementi Rari Pesanti non è stato incluso nella prima lista di Progetti Strategici dell'UE ai sensi della Legge sui Materiali Critici (CRMA). L'azienda prevede di ripresentare domanda quando si apriranno nuove applicazioni.
Dalla sua domanda di agosto 2024, l'azienda ha fatto progressi, incluso l'invio di una nuova domanda per una concessione mineraria di 25 anni (Concessione di Sfruttamento). Il Piano di Sviluppo Rapido dell'azienda mira a una rapida produzione di concentrato di elementi rari pesanti e di nefelina sienite attraverso un approccio di sviluppo graduale, concentrandosi sulla minimizzazione del rischio e dell'impatto ambientale.
Il ridisegno del progetto dà priorità alla protezione ambientale proponendo operazioni minerarie sostenibili per fornire elementi rari pesanti critici e minerali industriali. L'azienda sostiene che Norra Kärr rimane essenziale per la fornitura di HREE in Svezia e in Europa, soprattutto data l'attuale tensione geopolitica e le sfide commerciali.
Leading Edge Materials (LEMIF) anuncia que su Proyecto Norra Kärr de Elementos Raros Pesados no fue incluido en la primera lista de Proyectos Estratégicos de la UE bajo la Ley de Materias Primas Críticas (CRMA). La empresa planea volver a solicitar cuando se abran nuevas aplicaciones.
Desde su solicitud en agosto de 2024, la empresa ha progresado, incluyendo la presentación de una nueva solicitud para una concesión minera de 25 años (Concesión de Explotación). El Plan de Desarrollo Rápido de la empresa tiene como objetivo una rápida producción de concentrado de elementos raros pesados y nefelina sienita a través de un enfoque de desarrollo por fases, centrándose en minimizar el riesgo y el impacto ambiental.
El rediseño del proyecto prioriza la protección ambiental mientras propone operaciones mineras sostenibles para suministrar elementos raros pesados críticos y minerales industriales. La empresa sostiene que Norra Kärr sigue siendo esencial para el suministro de HREE en Suecia y Europa, especialmente dada la actual tensión geopolítica y los desafíos comerciales.
Leading Edge Materials (LEMIF)는 Norra Kärr 희귀 중금속 프로젝트가 EU의 첫 번째 전략 프로젝트 목록에 포함되지 않았다고 발표했습니다. 회사는 새로운 신청이 열릴 때 재신청할 계획입니다.
2024년 8월의 신청 이후, 회사는 25년 광산 임대 (개발 허가)에 대한 새로운 신청서를 제출하는 등 진전을 이루었습니다. 회사의 신속 개발 계획은 위험과 환경 영향을 최소화하는 데 중점을 두고 단계적 개발 접근 방식을 통해 희귀 중금속 농축물과 네펠린 시엔나이트의 신속한 생산을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
프로젝트의 재설계는 환경 보호를 최우선으로 하며, 중요한 희귀 중금속과 산업 광물을 공급하기 위한 지속 가능한 채굴 작업을 제안하고 있습니다. 회사는 Norra Kärr가 현재의 지정학적 긴장과 무역 문제를 고려할 때 스웨덴과 유럽의 HREE 공급에 필수적이라고 주장합니다.
Leading Edge Materials (LEMIF) annonce que son Projet Norra Kärr sur les Éléments Rares Lourd n'a pas été inclus dans la première liste de Projets Stratégiques de l'UE dans le cadre de la Loi sur les Matériaux Critiques (CRMA). L'entreprise prévoit de faire une nouvelle demande lorsque de nouvelles candidatures seront ouvertes.
Depuis sa demande d'août 2024, l'entreprise a progressé, y compris la soumission d'une nouvelle demande pour une concession minière de 25 ans (Concession d'Exploitation). Le Plan de Développement Rapide de l'entreprise vise une production rapide de concentré d'éléments rares lourds et de néphéline syénite grâce à une approche de développement par étapes, en se concentrant sur la minimisation des risques et de l'impact environnemental.
La refonte du projet privilégie la protection de l'environnement tout en proposant des opérations minières durables pour fournir des éléments rares lourds critiques et des minéraux industriels. L'entreprise soutient que Norra Kärr reste essentiel à l'approvisionnement en HREE de la Suède et de l'Europe, notamment compte tenu des tensions géopolitiques actuelles et des défis commerciaux.
Leading Edge Materials (LEMIF) gibt bekannt, dass ihr Norra Kärr Projekt für schwere Seltene Erden nicht in die erste Liste strategischer Projekte der EU im Rahmen des Gesetzes über Kritische Rohstoffe (CRMA) aufgenommen wurde. Das Unternehmen plant, sich erneut zu bewerben, wenn neue Anträge geöffnet werden.
Seit seinem Antrag im August 2024 hat das Unternehmen Fortschritte gemacht, einschließlich der Einreichung eines neuen Antrags für eine 25-jährige Bergbaulizenz (Ausbeutungsbewilligung). Der Rapid Development Plan des Unternehmens zielt darauf ab, schnell konzentrierte schwere Seltene Erden und Nephelinsyenit durch einen phasenweisen Entwicklungsansatz zu produzieren, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf der Minimierung von Risiken und Umweltauswirkungen liegt.
Die Neugestaltung des Projekts priorisiert den Umweltschutz und schlägt nachhaltige Bergbauoperationen vor, um kritische schwere Seltene Erden und industrielle Mineralien zu liefern. Das Unternehmen behauptet, dass Norra Kärr für die Versorgung mit HREE in Schweden und Europa von wesentlicher Bedeutung bleibt, insbesondere angesichts der aktuellen geopolitischen Spannungen und Handelsherausforderungen.
- Submitted application for 25-year mining lease
- Developed phased approach to enable early production and cash flow generation
- Project redesign addresses environmental concerns while maintaining operational viability
- Failed to secure EU Strategic Project status in first round
- Project timeline potentially extended due to need for reapplication
LEADING EDGE MATERIALS TO REAPPLY FOR NORRA KÄRR STRATEGIC PROJECT STATUS
Vancouver, March 25, 2025 – Leading Edge Materials Corp. (“Leading Edge Materials” or the “Company”) (TSXV: LEM) (Nasdaq First North: LEMSE) (OTCQB: LEMIF) provides an update for the
- A decision on the Company’s application for Strategic Project status under the Critical Raw Materials Act (“CRMA”) has been made. Norra Kärr has not made the EU’s first list of Strategic Projects. The Company will reapply when a new call for applications is announced.
- Since submitting the application in August 2024, the Company has made tangible progress with Norra Kärr, including the significant milestone of submitting a new application for an Exploitation Concession (Bearbetningskoncession)—a 25-year mining lease—and continues to explore creative pathways to early and sustainable production.
- The application process stipulated that: “Strategic Projects make a meaningful contribution to the security of the Union’s supply of strategic raw materials. They are or will become technically feasible within a reasonable timeframe, showing expected production volumes, and implemented sustainably with a sufficient estimated confidence level.”
- The Company’s Rapid Development Plan (“RDP”) for extraction at Norra Kärr, aims to achieve the shortest possible timeframe to production of heavy rare earth element concentrate and nepheline syenite. A phased development approach is under consideration to enable early access to the deposit, initial production and sales of nepheline syenite, cash flow generation, and stockpiling of HREE concentrate for later processing and sales. This approach minimizes both risk and environmental impact.
Kurt Budge, Chief Executive Officer, writes:
“Although it is disappointing that Norra Kärr was not included in the first list of Strategic Projects, the progress made since last August has been substantial. Unfortunately, there has not yet been an opportunity to update the EU on these significant developments.
While selection would have been an advantage, the reality remains clear: geopolitical tensions and fragile global trade flows make Norra Kärr essential to Sweden and Europe’s supply of heavy rare earth elements.
Norra Kärr is the most advanced heavy rare earth elements project in Europe and a world-class deposit. The redesigned project, reflected in the new mining lease application, prioritizes environmental stewardship—ensuring the protection of natural values and access to clean water—while proposing a sustainable mining operation that will supply critical heavy rare earth elements and valuable industrial minerals.
Swedish Minister for Energy, Business, and Industry, and Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch has emphasized:
"Metals and minerals are essential for strengthening Swedish competitiveness and growth, and they are absolutely crucial to the green transition. They build prosperity and welfare for future generations. In this challenging geopolitical climate, we must also reinforce our security and independence."
Norra Kärr is a strategic necessity. With Europe’s urgent demand for HREEs, accelerating its development is no longer optional; it is imperative.”
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Leading Edge Materials Corp.
Kurt Budge, CEO
For further information, please contact the Company at:
1.778-373-6727
info@leadingedgematerials.com
www.leadingedgematerials.com
About Leading Edge Materials
Leading Edge Materials is a Canadian public company focused on developing a portfolio of critical raw material projects located in the European Union. Critical raw materials are determined as such by the European Union based on their economic importance and supply risk. They are directly linked to high growth technologies such as lithium-ion batteries and permanent magnets for electric motors and wind power that underpin the sustainability transition of society. The portfolio of projects includes the
Additional Information
The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact person set out above, on March 25, 2025, at 07:00 AM Vancouver time.
Leading Edge Materials is listed on the TSXV under the symbol “LEM”, OTCQB under the symbol “LEMIF” and Nasdaq First North Stockholm under the symbol “LEMSE”. Mangold Fondkommission AB is the Company’s Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North and may be contacted via email CA@mangold.se or by phone +46 (0) 8 5030 1550.
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FAQ
What is the current status of LEMIF's Norra Kärr HREE Project's Strategic Project application?
What recent progress has LEMIF made with the Norra Kärr project since August 2024?
What is LEMIF's new development approach for the Norra Kärr project?
How does LEMIF's redesigned Norra Kärr project address environmental concerns?
