As our Critical Raw Materials project in Norway continues, we are proud to have Norconsult – leading engineering, architecture and urban planning experts – by our sides. Here we speak to Norconsult’s Marius Fiskevold, our lead on zoning public participation and impact assessments, who’s a specialist in landscape planning and conceptualisation.
He explains the significance of zoning, public participation and impact assessments in large industrial and infrastructure projects – as well as his role developing and critiquing Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) methodology and software tools.
Q. Norconsult is a leading pan-Nordic interdisciplinary consulting firm – what are your specialisms?
Marius Fiskevold: Mineral extraction in Eigersund, southwest Norway, requires interdisciplinary expertise. First, the project must account for where the minerals are extracted, where they are processed, and how they are transported to the market. In addition, the project must be transparent about how this extraction is carried out within applicable laws and regulations. Thirdly, the project will also clarify how the extraction will cause the least possible strain on neighbours and other affected stakeholders. All these challenges require a highly competent group of cutting-edge experts in their field – that’s where our team and I come in.
Q. You are ‘project lead for zoning and ESIA’ – what does this involve?
Marius Fiskevold: Project lead for zoning and ESIA means to prepare a basis for elected politicians to take a position on the project. This decision-making basis consists of statutory impact assessments, zoning maps and zoning provisions. The intention of the political decision is to clarify what terms the municipality’s areas are to be used for.
Q. What’s the biggest problem you solve?
Marius Fiskevold: As a consultant I try to translate the understandable enthusiasm and impatience of our clients into the traditional conventions and legal prerequisites of public authorities. Different ways of thinking in different cultures are one of the most crucial tasks to solve in large multidisciplinary projects with international project teams. Above all, we are always honest and fair about both opportunities and any foreseeable limitations.
Q. Your partnership with Norge Mineraler – when did it begin and what form does it take?
Marius Fiskevold: Norconsult was engaged by Norge Mineraler in Autumn 2023. We were met by a competent and enthusiastic group of geologists and engineers with great visions and clear ambitions, including sustainability. However, the road from concept to plan accepted by public authorities and politicians is long and highly culturally conditioned. Many customers are unprepared for the challenges which occur in this context. However, Norge Mineraler has taken the task seriously and engaged both a British ESIA consultant with mining expertise and a Norwegian ESIA manager with special expertise in large projects. This move has created room for open, trust-based and informed communication.
Q. How are you specifically supporting the project?
Marius Fiskevold: In early Autumn 2024, a so-called planning initiative was submitted to Eigersund municipality. This notifies the municipality that a private actor wants to initiate a public planning process. My task is to prepare this planning initiative, ensure that all content is in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and consistently follow up on it during the entire process.
Q. How is the partnership going so far?
Marius Fiskevold: Following the submission of the planning initiative, the municipality consulted state and regional authorities – so that the planning initiative is made known and can be supplemented by public expectations and requirements. Currently, Norconsult and Norge Mineraler are preparing feedback regarding these comments. In our experience, Norge Mineraler is aware of and takes the different perspectives provided by these comments seriously.
Q. What’s your impression of Norge Mineraler?
Marius Fiskevold: Norge Mineraler is a company with great ambitions in a very demanding field of planning. The company aims high within a public administration regime that is not necessarily trained or adapted to this type of project. This requires both insight and sensitivity. My impression is that they are willing to listen to advice on how society as a whole should benefit from the project’s large positive impact – as well as understanding some of the more negative consequences.
Q. Does it feel motivating to be part of a new industry in Norway?
Marius Fiskevold: Every project has its own requirements and commitments. In this case, it is particularly inspiring to help investigate and clarify a new project concept in the Norwegian public sphere. As a consultant, this assignment is about explaining the project’s concept, what effects it may have, and who will be affected by it. The most challenging part of this process, however, is to treat future scenarios with present knowledge. What do we envisage Helleland looking like in 2050, for example? This takes laser sharp focus on the details right now, while looking ahead to the influence of the project for decades to come.
