Finland Is the World’s Most Attractive Location for Global Mining Investments
Finland is one of the most attractive locations for global mining investments. In the recent Fraser Institute’s 2024 Annual Survey of Mining Companies, Finland gained first place in overall analysis. Availability of digital geological data sets are a significant factor in making mining investment decisions.
The Canadian based Fraser Institute’s annual survey evaluates the attractiveness of different countries and locations for mining investments based on the mineral potential and political factors.
Finishing 17th in last year’s survey, Finland returned to the top, being the most attractive country. Other Nordic countries also appear near the top of the list, with Sweden in sixth and Norway in tenth place. Finland’s attractiveness in the field is due to our good mineral potential and a well-functioning society. The participants in the study described Finland’s societal system as transparent and the availability of information as good. Digital geodata sets are also a significant factor in making mining investment decisions.
In terms of the operating environment and regulations, Finland stands in the second place. Ireland took the top spot. The ranking was influenced, among other things, by Finland’s high-quality infrastructure, straightforward laws, comprehensive geological data and the transparency of the Finnish social system.
The geoscience information produced by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) remain among the best in the world, despite some annual variation in survey results. This time, Norway took the top Nordic spot, followed by Sweden in second place and Finland in third.
”GTK invests significantly each year in producing geological data sets and in maintaining and developing the related information systems and services. The goal is to continuously improve usability and quality. For example, the Hakku service has been renewed with digital funding from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment during 2024–2025”, says head of Information Solutions at GTK, Katja Lalli.
The 2024 Annual Survey of Mining Companies was sent to around 2,300 mineral exploration, development and mining companies throughout the world. The survey was conducted from August 7, 2024 to December 15, 2024 with a total of 350 mining executives responding to it.
The survey shows that traditional mining countries and their most critical regions in terms of mining operations are the most attractive locations for investments. The top positions were held by significant mining locations in Europe, North America and Australasia.
Link to the survey: Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2024
