Stop the building of a quarry in Bremanger, Norway

Vingen holds significance not only due to its over 6000-year-old rock art but also because of its location within the environment of Frøysjøen. Here, one can witness fjord landscapes akin to those observed by the rock art producers in the Mesolithic. This area is now in danger of irreversibly harmful activity due to industrial quarry activity, noise pollution, stone transportation, light pollution, and, notably, dust pollution, and associated industrial activity. Image: Arve Kjersheim.

On February 5th the decision regarding the quarry and shipping port in Frøysjøen was announced. The establishment of a quarry and the associated industrial activities in this region will have profound negative implications for cultural heritage in Frøysjøen, particularly affecting the rock art site Vingen — one of the most authentic rock art areas in Europe.

Vingen holds significance not only due to its over 6000-year-old rock art but also because of its location within the environment of Frøysjøen. Here, one can witness fjord landscapes akin to those observed by the rock art producers in the Mesolithic. This area is now in danger of irreversibly harmful activity due to industrial quarry activity, noise pollution, stone transportation, light pollution, and, notably, dust pollution, and associated industrial activity. This landscape will forever be destroyed and turned into industrial ground.

Despite opposition from the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren), the County Governor (Statsforvalteren), and the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the decision has been made. Numerous contributions and complaints have been submitted, addressing concerns about cultural heritage and various endangered species in the boreonemoral rainforest within the fjord landscape. All public consultation bodies have rejected the quarry project. Public authorities have invested hundreds of millions in the preservation, conservation, and research of the rock art in the Vingen area. Nevertheless, the decision has been enacted. The company set to operate the quarry, Beheersmij Fr. Bontrup BD, is a Dutch entity intending to extract 360 million tons of stone, with plans for increased activity in the area. The extracted stone is designated for road construction and offshore products.

Why do Norwegian authorities prioritize the economic profit of a Dutch company over the preservation of invaluable nature and cultural heritage?

Bremanger municipality has long held a political resolution to promote the Vingen rock area for nomination to UNESCO's World Heritage List for cultural and natural heritage. Paradoxically, the same municipality is now advocating for the destruction of the very area it seeks global protection for. This situation underscores the prioritization of economic gain over both natural and cultural heritage. It necessitates broader public awareness and engagement.

Sign this petition, disseminate knowledge about the threat to cultural heritage and the environment, and encourage collective efforts to halt the quarry project:

Click here for the signature campaign