Vocabulary

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Video

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

 

This idyllic Norwegian farm could soon become a massive mining pit.

Geir Dybing, Farmer: “If I can’t farm this spot anymore, I’ll quit. I’m very closely bonded to this place. I was born and raised here.”

Geir Dybing’s farm on Norway’s southwestern coast may very well sit atop one of the world’s largest phosphate deposits. His family has been living here for centuries — on land rich in this natural mineral.

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Geir Dybing, Farmer: “All these dark parts here, are phosphate. The phosphate content of the rock here makes the area very fertile. The layers of soil are quite thin, but it’s still always green here.”

Geir Dybing, Farmer: “The mountain right next to his farm may also disappear under the big slag heaps surrounding a massive open-pit mine. Geir worries about the possible impacts on the environment, and public health.

Even while mining the rock, they have to grind it on the spot down to particles half a millimeter thick, or finer. Windy days like today will carry off massive clouds of harmful dust.”

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‘No to the mine!’ and ‘Save the village!’ are written on these walls.

Resistance to the planned excavation is gaining ground.

But the Norwegian-British mining company is not backing down.

Phosphate is in high demand for agricultural fertilizers, solar cells, and batteries for electric vehicles — and nowhere else on Earth are those as popular as in Norway.

In 2024, almost 90% of all new cars registered here were electric vehicles.

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This is the phosphate-laden rock. The mining company sees it as a future source of income when Norway’s oil and natural gas wells dry up.

Erik Joa, Norge Mineraler Mining Company: “This could be one of several industries that ensure development for Norwegian society in the future.”

The mining consortium, and its investors, are promising a glorious future for Norway’s Rogaland County.

The phosphate could potentially cover European demand for decades — while reducing dependence on China.

Erik Joa, Norge Mineraler Mining Company: “What we have here is the largest phosphate deposit of igneous origin that has ever been found. It’s about 4.5 billion tons of rock.”

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But experts say that’s far too optimistic. Southwestern Norway has a longstanding mining tradition — titanium is still mined in the region today. But a find that sensational isn’t expected this time around.

Steinar Mellgren, Former Mining Engineer: “In 2012, Norway’s Geological Institute estimated the phosphate deposits could be worth about 20 billion euros.

Some people must have thought they were talking about net income. But in fact, the figure refers to gross revenue.”

This figure doesn’t include the costs of extracting and processing the mineral, which are considerable.

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So far, Norwegian authorities have only granted a prospecting license. Geir intends to do whatever it takes to stay on his farm, and prevent the land from being mined.

Geir Dybing, Farmer: “I’m fighting to make sure this land will be farmed for a long time to come. By future generations, too.”

For now, any digging in this ground will be for the planting of crops.

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Questions

 

Gold. A mining consortium plans to mine iron ore on scrubby, rocky land. True or false.

Silver. Did Geir settle there in 2007? Is Geir from Oslo?

Diamond. Are locals concerned that their ground water may become contaminated?

Rare Earths. The mining company is from Australia. Is this right or wrong? Are they sympathetic toward the local residents?

Copper. What is Norway’s economic model or strategy? Are Norwegians similar to the Dutch and Danes (which have a bicycle culture)?

Iron Ore. Are experts unanimous as to the size and profitability of the phosphate deposits? Do the experts agree with each other, disagree, both, in the middle?

Coal. The mining companies will definitely begin mining immediately, and Geir will work as a miner. Is this correct or incorrect?
 
 
 
Lithium. Is there mining in your region? What are some important minerals?

Uranium. What should happen to Norway’s Rogaland County? What should the government, people and mining consortium do?

Bauxite (Aluminum Ore). Do you think the world is headed in the “right direction”?

Platinum. What might happen in the future?

Nickel. What could or should people, governments and businesses do?