On August 21, 2025, Sámi activists reignited protests against the Nussir copper project in Repparfjorden, northern Norway, over concerns that mining operations would dump tailings into the fjord. Demonstrators set up new blockades, echoing earlier campaigns that had drawn international attention to Indigenous rights in Arctic resource development. Police made several arrests as construction crews attempted to move forward, yet opposition from local communities remains determined and visible.
The controversy stems from fears of irreparable ecological damage in one of Norway’s most sensitive marine environments, coupled with a sense of exclusion from meaningful consultation. Sámi leaders argue that the government and company ignored their right to free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) as outlined in international conventions. For Norway, a country that often highlights its environmental leadership, the project has become a test case of whether clean-energy ambitions can coexist with Indigenous rights and ecosystem protection.
The dispute underscores how social license to operate extends beyond formal permits or environmental approvals. In resource projects located on Indigenous lands, legitimacy hinges on cultural respect and genuine inclusion in decision-making. The Repparfjorden protests reveal that even in advanced democracies, development strategies tied to the energy transition risk collapse if they disregard community values. For investors and policymakers, the case highlights that sustainable supply chains for critical minerals like copper are inseparable from the trust of those most affected on the ground.