Norwegian shelf opened for mineral activity

Norwegian shelf opened for mineral activity

A section of a sulphide sample, obtained during an expedition to the Mohns Ridge in the Norwegian Sea in 2020. Photo: Øystein Leiknes Nag, Norwegian Offshore Directorate.

09/01/2024 Today, 9 January, the Storting (Norwegian parliament) decided to open the Norwegian shelf for exploration and possible extraction of seabed minerals.

The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has contributed to the opening process, among other things by coordinating work on the impact assessment and preparing a resource assessment.

We've mapped vast areas in the northern Norwegian Sea since 2017. We've taken samples and collected data about minerals and metals found on the seabed. We've done this by means of our own expeditions, and also in cooperation with expert communities at the universities in Tromsø and Bergen.

You can find facts about seabed minerals here.

Updated: 09/01/2024