Areva: More than one uranium deposit in Eno

Bishop responds to criticism: I protect people, not money

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The Finnish subsidiary of the French energy company Areva has begun the second phase in its uranium prospecting in the Riutta claim area in Eno in the southeast of Finland.
     During the geological survey, excavators dug away the top layers of the ground to reveal boulders and rock. The rocks will be cleaned and classified, and their uranium content and magnetism will be measured.
      Tapani Hyysalo, the operative manager of the Finnish company said at a press conference that there are a number of uranium sources in the area, and not just one as was initially thought. It remains to be seen if the uranium deposits are sufficient for mining to be economically viable.
     
The Areva claim on the border between the municipalities of Eno and Kontiolahti was legally approved last spring. In the summer, detailed photographs were taken.
     The second phase will last a month, after which the earth that had been excavated will be put back, and landscaping work will be done to restore the appearance of the area.
     In the third phase, a hole between 200 and 300 metres will be drilled, and the rock samples taken can be thoroughly examined.
     The investigation in 18 different areas will take at least two years.
      Wille Riekkinen, the Lutheran Bishop of Kuopio, spoke against uranium mining in the area at the Bishops’ Conference in September.
     Since then he has received critical feedback from mining professionals.
     Critical mail has also come from Areva and the Geological Survey of Finland. The focus of the criticism is that the current activities are ore prospecting, and not the establishment of a mine.
     The flood of feedback has not changed Riekkinen’s mind. “I do not protect money, I protect people in the area.”


Previously in HS International Edition:
  French nuclear giant Areva applies for claim permit for large uranium deposit in Northern Finland (2.9.2008)
  Four foreign mining companies prospect for uranium in Finland (18.1.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat