Norway’s Nussir Mine Threatens Sami Reindeer Herding

Why this is here: Sami territory, known as Sapmi, extends across four countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.

Nils Mikkelsen Utsi, a Sami reindeer herder in northern Norway, worries a new copper mine near Repparfjord will disrupt his family’s centuries-old traditions. Each summer, Utsi moves his reindeer to highland pastures for calving. He fears the Nussir mine will drive the animals from critical grazing lands.

The Sami people’s territory, Sapmi, spans Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. They traditionally rely on reindeer herding and fishing for their livelihoods.

The development of the Nussir mine reflects a broader tension across Europe. Governments seek minerals for renewable energy technologies, but these projects can conflict with Indigenous ways of life.

A 2024 European Union law supports projects like Nussir, aiming to secure critical raw minerals. Utsi believes the mine’s location near calving grounds poses a direct threat to his herd. The long-term effects of these mines on Sami culture and reindeer populations remain largely unknown.