A new method developed by researchers at Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) can help identify and reduce the risk of rights violations linked to industrial projects on the traditional lands of Sámi reindeer herding communities. Based on a case study of LKAB's planned mining project Per Geijer, the method highlights significant risks to human rights.
The report is the result of a research collaboration with the Gabna Sámi reindeer herding community, contributing knowledge on land use and insights into the cultural values linked to natural grazing-based reindeer herding, including the need for reindeer to move freely across extensive, connected grazing lands. These landscapes are essential for safeguarding Sámi rights.
The method, including the risk assessment framework and the analysis of both current impacts and future risks, was developed by SEI researchers. The study was funded by Formas, NordForsk and Mistra.
"Taken together, we see significant risks of violations of the Sámi reindeer herding community members' right to land and culture, as well as several examples of LKAB failing in its obligation to respect the Sámi community's right to effective participation. In view of the project's extensive impact, explicit consent from the Sámi community is probably needed for the project to be permissible under international Indigenous rights law," says Rasmus Kløcker Larsen, Senior Researcher at SEI.
Previous research shows that mining and other natural resource extraction often entail risks for both the environment and people, particularly Indigenous Peoples. The new method enables companies to carry out rights-based risk assessments for industrial projects on Sámi lands, helping to prevent rights violations and ensure the protection of Sámi rights.
It identifies six key preconditions for ensuring a Sámi community's collective rights to land and culture when land is subject to competing land-use claims.
"Gabna is already extensively affected by both LKAB's and others' activities around Kiruna. We believe that the Per Geijer project would further cause major or serious impacts on virtually all preconditions examined, as the reindeer herding community’s pastures would be divided,” says Carl Österlin, Researcher at SEI.
“Before further exploitation can be considered, extensive measures are required to ensure sufficient land for reindeer to move freely around Kiruna and for coordinated seasonal migration past Kiruna."
The method can be applied to projects affecting other Sámi herding communities but must be adapted in dialogue with those affected. There can be considerable differences between Sámi communities in terms of seasonal migration patterns and possibilities to protect or restore conditions for natural grazing-based reindeer herding.
Existing guidelines for risk assessment, current mining industry practices as regards analyses of impacts on reindeer herding and the evidence base used by licensing authorities have often been criticised. The new method offers a way forward, but further development and practical application is needed to ensure adequate assessments of human rights risks in Sápmi in line with international standards.
"Our hope is that the report can contribute to better risk assessments, better protection of Sámi rights and a fairer management of land use linked to energy and mineral policy," says Rasmus Kløcker Larsen.
The report also highlights that:
About the report and the case study
The report Assessing how to handle mining projects and their risks to Indigenous rights in a reindeer herding context ( in Swedish) explains how a human rights impact assessment (HRIA) can be used to assess and address risks to Indigenous rights linked to reindeer herding.
The case study focuses on of the state-owned mining company LKAB's application for a mining concession for the Per Geijer deposit, one of the first extraction projects in Sweden designated by the European Commission as a strategic project under the Critical Raw Materials Act.
According to the state's ownership policy, LKAB is expected to lead the industry in corporate responsibility. The company was invited to contribute information and to conduct factchecking prior to publication but declined.
The responsibility for ensuring adequate impact assessments for the Per Geijer project rests with LKAB. The company submitted its application for a mining concession in June 2024 and must supplement it with a reindeer herding analysis by 1 May 2026. To date, no HRIA has been carried out for the project.
For more information, please contact:
Rasmus Kløcker Larsen, Senior Research Fellow, SEI, rasmus.klocker.larsen@sei.org
Carl Österlin, Research Fellow, SEI, carl.osterlin@sei.org
Ulrika Lamberth, Senior Press Officer, SEI, ulrika.lamberth@sei.org , + 46 73 801 7053
Lars-Marcus Kuhmunen, Chairman, Gabna Sámi Village, samebygabna@gmail.com
Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research institute that tackles climate, environment and sustainable development challenges. We empower partners to meet these challenges through cutting-edge research, knowledge, tools and capacity building. Through SEI’s HQ and seven centres around the world, we engage with policy, practice and development action for a sustainable, prosperous future for all. www.sei.org