STOCKHOLM, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Sweden has approved a zoning plan for the Nunasvaara South graphite mine near Kiruna as the government looks to speed up the opening of new mines in the mineral-rich country.

The mine, operated by Australia's Talga Group, is expected to produce around 100,000 metric tons of graphite ore a year which will be processed into about 20,000 tons of battery anode material.

"Sweden is in a unique position when it comes to providing...Europe with a more independent supply of critical raw materials," Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch said in a statement. "Graphite is important not least for the production of steel, batteries and cars and Swedish mining is the most sustainable in the world."

The European Union wants to boost domestic production of critical minerals and reduce its reliance on China and other suppliers amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Talga said it was currently focusing on building its graphite processing plant in Lulea and that it hoped mining at Vittangi would start around 2029.

"The last major obstacle has been removed," Talga spokesman Cen Rolfsson said, adding some minor permits were still needed before production could start.

Rolfsson said the Nunasvaara mine would produce around 2% of Europe's expected graphite demand by 2030, but that production could be scaled up.

Sweden is rich in minerals that are considered key to green technology like batteries and magnets and used in applications from telecoms to missiles.

The country's biggest project is state-owned LKAB's Per Geijer iron ore and rare earths mine which was designated a Strategic Project by the EU in 2025.

"Mining policy isn't just an economic question any more," Busch said. "It has become a question of national security. We have to strengthen our strategic autonomy and build Sweden strong."

(Reporting by Simon Johnson; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

((simon.c.johnson@thomsonreuters.com; +46 70 721 1045; Reuters Messaging: simon.c.johnson.reuters.com@reuters.net/))