Emotions run high in debate on uranium mining in east of Finland

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Is it OK for people to show their emotions when defending their homes and residential areas?
      “Of course they can” say residents of the eastern communities of Kontiolahti and Eno in the east of Finland, who have come out against proposals for mining uranium in the area.
      The residents are not having a very easy time, as they face a large international corporation, the French-owned Areva, which is armed with an array of facts, legislation, money, and power.
      However, opponents of Areva’s uranium prospecting in the area are pulling out all the stops in their effort to derail the project.
      The ultimate goal of the movement is to end the use of uranium on a global scale. They feel that the risk of accidents, and of the misuse of nuclear energy are too big to be foisted on the coming generations.
     
One of the activists, Markku Aho, says that the movement helps ordinary people by offering them expertise, and by drawing up appeals on their behalf. The level of organisation is going beyond local, reaching national and even international dimensions.
      The issues being debated go beyond opposition to uranium mining, touching upon energy policy, climate change, and the national debate on values.
      “Even the church has woken up”, says Pauliina Kainulainen, a doctor of theology.
     
At Areva Resources Finland, Operative Director Tapani Hyysalo says that at the next thing that is happening at the Riutta claim area in Eno, in the city of Joensuu, is the pinpointing of possible viable uranium deposits.
      About 50 holes are to be drilled in the most potentially promising area at a cost of about a million euros.
      “Areva NC, the owner of Areva Resources Finland, has not yet made a decision on financing this operation”, Hyysalo says.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Areva: More than one uranium deposit in Eno (1.10.2009)
  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)

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