# Norway mining waste disposal dispute in Førdefjorden

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/norway-mining-waste-disposal-dispute-in-frdefjorden
> Updated: 2026-10-04T17:48:55.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

The Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment granted Nordic Mining a temporary three-year permit to dump up to 4.5 million tons of mining waste into Førdefjorden. This decision followed a June Supreme Court ruling that invalidated previous discharge permits for violating the EU Water Framework Directive. Minister Sigrun Aasland stated the ministry is suspending invalidated decisions to provide this time-limited permit while evaluating long-term options, a process expected to finish in early 2027.

Environmental groups, including Natur og Ungdom and Naturvernforbundet, criticized the move as a “gross violation” of the Supreme Court ruling and environmental regulations. In response to the permit, members of Natur og Ungdom staged three days of protests by occupying a bridge near the company’s conveyor belt at Engebøfjellet. The occupation halted ore supply to the plant, leading police to intervene at the company’s request to clear the obstruction. Those who refused to leave the site face potential fines and criminal charges.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-04: Nordic Mining protesters removed by police near Førdefjorden

Police removed Natur og Ungdom protesters from Nordic Mining's facility near Førdefjorden after they blocked operations to protest new government permits for fjord waste disposal.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nordic-mining-protesters-removed-by-police-near-frdefjorden

### 2026-09-30: Norway grants temporary permit for mining waste dumping in Førdefjorden

Norway's Ministry of Climate and Environment has issued a temporary three-year permit for Nordic Mining to dump waste in Førdefjorden, despite a Supreme Court ruling that previous permits violated EU directives

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/norway-grants-temporary-permit-for-mining-waste-dumping-in-frdefjorden

---
Cite as: Norway mining waste disposal dispute in Førdefjorden. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/norway-mining-waste-disposal-dispute-in-frdefjorden