Heidelberg Materials has applied for a renewed long-term mining permit to mine limestone in Slite on Gotland. The main hearing in the Land and Environmental Court in Visby has now been concluded. The court will issue a judgment in the case on 7 May 2025.
The limestone quarry that supplies Slitefabriken is unique in Sweden in terms of size, quality and accessibility. Limestone mining has an impact on the surrounding area, which means that the application consists of careful investigations and far-reaching proposals for protection and compensation measures to protect water and nature throughout the permit period.
A long-term permit is important both for the Swedish cement supply and our planned climate change adaptation of the Slite factory. One of the most important issues during the main negotiation was about water, and we have clearly shown that our protection and compensation measures will contribute to strengthening the water supply in northern Gotland, says Matilda Hoffstedt, factory manager at Slite.
The Land and Environment Court has conducted the main hearing in the case during weeks four and five in Visby. During the hearing, an “inspection” has also been made of the areas covered by the application, ie observations on site. The court’s handling of the case will now continue with an exchange of letters between the parties for a few weeks, before the court announces its decision on 7 May this year.
Heidelberg Materials is satisfied with the main hearing and there have been fruitful discussions. We have received concrete questions from the court and the authorities, which we have answered in detail. Now we hope to continue constructive dialogue and then an announcement that gives us the conditions to run and develop the business in the best way possible, says Matilda Hoffstedt.
