Summary
This paper evaluates the implications of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) for mining activities in Sweden and their impact on Indigenous Sámi reindeer herding communities. It discusses the limitations of current Swedish legislation in addressing human rights concerns, particularly the lack of Sámi participation in mineral licensing decisions. The paper highlights the directive’s potential to strengthen protections for Sámi rights through due diligence processes, though it notes gaps, such as the absence of explicit references to key rights like Free, Prior, and Informed Consent. The case of Swedish mining company LKAB’s plans to mine near Giron/Kiruna is examined to illustrate potential impacts on Sámi livelihoods, including land dispossession and disruption of migration routes.