Norway's Progress Party (Frp) leader Sylvi Listhaug is calling for the opening of new coal mines on the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. She frames the move as a national security necessity, citing a need to bolster Norway's presence amidst heightened geopolitical competition in the High North.
“We are going to spend an enormous amount of money on the Defence to build up preparedness. Compared to that, this will be small change to secure a Norwegian presence on Svalbard. It's worth it,” Listhaug told a major national newspaper.
Her statement signals a dramatic policy shift for a territory transitioning away from its historic economic base. This push for coal contrasts directly with the phased closure of mining operations and a broader national focus on green energy and environmental protection in the fragile Arctic ecosystem.
The Geopolitical Rationale
Listhaug’s argument centers on the 1920 Svalbard Treaty, which granted Norway sovereignty but also gives other signatory nations extensive rights to settle and conduct business on the islands. With intensifying great power rivalry in the Arctic, Listhaug contends that a strong, economically-rooted Norwegian community is the best guarantee of continued control.
She points to a series of practical problems in the main settlement, Longyearbyen, where Norway's strategy has been to maintain a living community. “The proportion of Norwegians is falling, people have to fetch water containers at the store, electricity is generated by a diesel power plant, stores have lacked fresh goods, and the infrastructure is at times poor,” she stated.
A Return to a Declining Industry?
This call for new mines comes just one year after the last operating coal mine, Gruve 7, was closed. It had provided 60 full-time industrial jobs. The coal that remains there contains too much sulphur to be commercially viable. Mining operations at Sveafjellet and Lunckefjell were also decided to be phased out in 2017, a decision made while Listhaug herself was in government.
“This was not something we wanted. Frp has always been in favour of continuing mining operations on Svalbard. As recently as 2023, Frp proposed securing coal mining on Svalbard beyond 2025,” Listhaug commented, distancing her party from the previous closures.
Mining company Store Norske has operated 15 mines on Svalbard since 1916. Opening new ones would represent a significant financial undertaking. When the last mine closed, it was estimated that establishing new coal mines could cost at least one billion Norwegian kroner.
Economic and Environmental Questions
The proposal faces immediate logistical and economic hurdles. The coal-fired power plant in Longyearbyen has been shut down, raising questions about the energy source for any new mining operation and its overall profitability.
“You have to open new mines to extract coal, and the coal power plant in Longyearbyen is shut down. How is mining supposed to become economically profitable?” Listhaug was asked.
Her response shifted focus to energy policy. “An unforgivable huge mistake was made when they shut down the coal power plant without having a backup,” she argued.
Beyond economics, the plan clashes with environmental goals. Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, and mining in the sensitive Arctic environment carries unique ecological risks. The proposal is likely to spark debate about balancing national security interests with Norway's international climate commitments.
Expert Analysis and Broader Implications
While the source material provides Listhaug's political perspective, analysts note the proposal reveals a deeper tension in Norwegian Arctic policy. Security experts often stress that a viable, year-round civilian community is Norway's strongest legal and political tool for upholding the Svalbard Treaty's provisions. The decline of traditional industries like mining weakens that demographic foundation.
However, economic analysts question whether coal is the right industry for this role in the 21st century. The global market for thermal coal is volatile and in long-term decline in Europe due to climate policies. The billion-krone investment needed for new mines could be a high-risk gamble, requiring significant and ongoing state subsidies to be viable, effectively making it a costly security subsidy rather than a profitable business.
Furthermore, the move could have diplomatic repercussions. While permitted under the treaty, a large-scale expansion of coal mining could be viewed by other treaty signatories as a politically motivated maneuver to solidify control, potentially leading to challenges or increased activity from other nations on the archipelago.
The debate also highlights the search for a new economic model for Svalbard. Research, tourism, and education have grown in importance. Listhaug's plan suggests a belief that these sectors alone are insufficient to maintain the level of Norwegian presence she deems necessary for national security.
A Defining Political Debate
Listhaug’s proposal sets the stage for a contentious national debate. It pits a vision of Svalbard as a strategic asset requiring traditional industry support against a vision of it as a modern Arctic community and a global symbol of environmental stewardship. The Frp leader is framing the issue squarely in terms of cost versus national security value, arguing that even a billion-krone investment is minor compared to other defence expenditures.
As the Arctic grows warmer and more accessible, the strategic value of Svalbard only increases. The question of how to maintain a robust Norwegian presence there—whether through subsidies for a fading industry, investment in new economic sectors, or increased state-funded civilian and military activity—is becoming more urgent. Listhaug’s call for new coal mines is one stark answer, and it ensures that Svalbard's future will be a hot topic in Norwegian politics. The coming months will show whether other parties see coal as the key to sovereignty or an outdated relic that undermines other national priorities.