The Fen Carbonatite Complex · Telemark
A new source of rare earths for Europe
The deposit at Fen has the potential to become the largest source of rare earth elements in Europe – essential raw materials for the green transition.
- tonnes of rare earth oxides (TREO) in mapped resources
- 15.9 Mt
- increase in resource estimate since 2024
- ~80 %
- of the REE-bearing carbonatite covered by REN's permit
- ~90 %
From deposit to possibility
The wider value chain connects a geological resource with industrial applications.
01.
Mining at Fen
REN is planning an underground mine at the Fen deposit in Telemark – an "invisible mine" concept that keeps the footprint on the surface to a minimum. The carbonatite ore is crushed underground and transported onward for processing.
Mining method
Underground
Ore type
Carbonatite
02.
Mineral processing
The ore is ground and the rare earth minerals are separated from the surrounding rock. This is where REN's part of the value chain concludes: extracting the REE minerals from the ore itself.
Process
Grinding & flotation
Output
REE mineral concentrate
03.
Hydrometallurgy
Through leaching and precipitation, the mineral concentrate is refined into a mixed rare earths product – in line with REN's vision of becoming an important supplier of mixed rare earths concentrate in Europe.
Process
Leaching & precipitation
Output
Mixed REE concentrate
04.
Separation
The mixed concentrate is separated into individual rare earth oxides. Neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) – up to around 19 percent of TREO at Fen – are the most sought-after for magnet production.
Method
Solvent extraction
Output
Individual oxides (NdPr)
05.
Metals & magnets
The end product of the value chain is the permanent magnet. These supermagnets are essential in a wide range of state-of-the-art products, including electric cars and wind turbines.
Product
NdFeB permanent magnets
Used in
EVs, wind, defence
Small elements essential for technologies
Rare earths help make the permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and advanced technology.
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Electric mobility
Each EV motor relies on powerful rare earth magnets.
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Wind energy
Direct-drive turbines use tonnes of permanent magnets.
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Advanced industry
Robotics, electronics and defence depend on rare earths.
Forsyningssikkerhet
Viktige råvarer for Europa
Sjeldne jordarter er avgjørende råvarer for det grønne skiftet og for Europas industri. EU har definert dem som kritiske og strategiske råvarer gjennom Critical Raw Materials Act, med mål om å redusere avhengigheten av import fra ett enkelt land.
Neodym og praseodym regnes av EU-kommisjonen som de mest kritiske råvarene med tanke på forsyningsrisiko. Rare Earths Norway ble i 2022 prioritert av European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA).
Fra kartlegging til prosjektAn ancient volcano in Telemark
The Fen Carbonatite Complex was created 580 million years ago, when carbonate-rich magma formed a volcanic feeder pipe.
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580 million years
Age of the carbonatite complex near Ulefoss in Telemark.
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8.8 → 15.9 Mt TREO
Resource growth from 2024 to 2026 – parts now classified as Indicated.
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~19 % NdPr
Share of neodymium and praseodymium – the most critical magnet metals.
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Nb + Th
Significant niobium and thorium – potentially valuable by-products.
About Rare Earths Norway
Built on 75 years of mining experience
REN was established in 2016 to develop the Fen Complex, and is part of the Hustadlitt group. Our vision is to become an important supplier of mixed rare earths concentrate in Europe, enabling the green industrial transition.
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Mineral rights
Our extraction permit covers approximately 90% of the REE-bearing iron-dolomite carbonatite at Fen.
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Prioritised by ERMA
Endorsed by the European Raw Materials Alliance in 2022 as a strategic European project.
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An invisible mine
An underground concept designed to keep the surface footprint at Fen to a minimum.
Leadership
Alf Reistad
CEO
Tore Malo Ødegård
CFO
Trond Watne
Chief Geologist
Sturla Steinsvik
Project Advisor & Chairman of the Board
Frequently asked questions
What are rare earth elements?
A group of 17 metals that are essential raw materials for the European Green Deal – above all in the permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and defence technology.
What part of the value chain does REN cover?
Producing permanent magnets normally involves four stages. REN covers the first: from mining to extracting the rare earth minerals from the ore itself.
What is the "invisible mine"?
An underground mining concept where ore is extracted and crushed below ground, reducing the impact on landscape and neighbours at Fen.
Why does Fen matter for Europe?
Europe is almost entirely dependent on imports of rare earths. As Europe's largest documented deposit, Fen could become a secure, local source of critical raw materials.