A large find of rare earths in Sweden nourishes the hope of European independence in the coveted raw materials. But the price for that would be high.
Far in the north of Sweden stands a mountain some say the future of Europe lies buried near. A two-lane road leads into the mountain, winding down meter by meter. The geologist Laura Lauri steers her pick-up around the curves, turning left and right without hesitation, as if she has known this underground labyrinth since childhood. She gets out 910 meters underground, her headlamp cuts a cone of light into the darkness. It’s a day in March, but that doesn’t matter because every day feels, smells and sounds the same down here.