The state-owned mining company Terrafame received a new temporary environmental permit on Monday, which will allow it to operate in Sotkamo until March 31, 2029.
Terrafame has operated in the Kainuu region on the basis of temporary permits, which has been justified by the Regional State Administrative Agency (Avi) due to the changing nature of mining operations, including uncertain technologies and methods.
The metals in the mine are enriched by leaching, a method unique to the global mining industry and the first of its kind in the Arctic or subarctic. Emissions from this process are directly related to rainfall in the mining area. Avi noted that during wet years, Terraframe may have problems managing its water balance and discharging purified water.
The reason for the expiration of the permit in 2029 is that Avi estimates that Terraframe will significantly expand its operations in the near future, which would have a significant impact on mining water volumes and emissions.
In its decision, Avi pointed out that by the next permit application in 2029, many of these operational uncertainties may disappear.
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Production is increasing, emission limits are being tightened
The Avi decision allows Terraframe to increase its annual ore and secondary rock extraction and to expand the size of the opencast mine, among other things.
Expanding production will increase the amount of waste generated and speed up the filling of existing waste facilities, which will require the introduction of new ones.
The amount of treated wastewater is also increasing, especially during heavy rains.
Large sulphate emissions have been measured in local water bodies, such as Nuasjärvi, Salminen and the Oulujoki catchment area, and new sulphate concentrations have been more stringent than the new permit line. After heavy rainfall, these sulphate emissions may temporarily double as permitted.
In the past, environmental and fisheries groups have been compensated for mine pollution.
Terrafame has significantly increased the environmental provision in the balance sheet from EUR 159 million two years ago to EUR 324 million in the latest permit.
Terrafame and its battery chemical plant play a key role in Finland’s efforts to create battery materials for electric cars in Finland.
Source: The Nordic Page