Environment Minister faults lax supervision over Talvivaara mine

Minister of the Environment Ville Niinistö (Green) feels that the Talvivaara Mining Company has not faced sufficient environmental scrutiny.
      According to Niinistö, the mine in Sotkamo in the east of Finland has not been required to clean its waste water emissions or to deal with other environmental problems with sufficient urgency.
      Emissions of sulphates from the mine have caused serious environmental problems in the area.
     
One of the conditions for an environment permit that was granted in 2007 was that the company should draft an additional plan within three years of the launch of operations.
      An initial report was completed last spring. “The time line has not been acceptable. The practice phase for bringing the activities of the company to the level required by the environment permit and the legislation has been unreasonably long.”
     
However, Sami Koivula, who handles environment permits at the Regional State Administrative Agency of Northern Finland says that three years is reasonable in such cases.
      “Normally the review period in environment permits is about ten years. The inspection period has been exceptionally short in connection with these mining permits.”
      Koivula says that the reason for the three-year period is that only after the period of time has lapsed is it possible to ascertain the real level of emissions caused by the activity.
     
Environment Minister Niinistö has asked the Kainuu Centre for Economic Development, Transport, and the Environment, which is responsible for enforcing regulations on emissions, if officials have acted with sufficient vigour, and if there is still room for development in the legislation.
      When asked if the matter should be investigated by someone other than the Kainuu Economic Development, Transport and Environment Centre itself, Niinistö noted that an external body is already investigating their actions.
      He was referring to the Chancellor of Justice, which is investigating a complaint on the matter. Niinistö also notes that police have received a request for an investigation on the Talvivaara case.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Officials admit failures in oversight of Talvivaara mine (22.11.2011)
  Police investigation into emissions from Talvivaara mine (10.11.2011)
  Neighbours complain about dust and odours from Talvivaara mine (9.11.2011)
  Chemicals from mine contaminate lake (8.11.2011)

Links:
  Talvivaara Mining Company (Wikipedia)
  Talvivaara mine