Once in force, mining permits are temporary.
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) has approved Akkerman Finland Oy’s mining permits for the Kolima area in Viitasaari.
The ore exploration company Akkerman Finland Oy is a subsidiary of the Dutch company Akkerman Exploration B.V.
The Kangasjärvi permit covers an area of more than 1800 hectares.
The company’s purpose is to search there for zinc, copper, silver and cobalt, for example by taking drilling samples and with the help of geological and chemical research and magnetometric measurement.
The company is looking for copper, zinc, lead, silver, gold and cobalt from Viitasaari.
Exploration methods can include, for example, drilling, sampling of drill cores and magnetometric measurement.
Magnetometric measurements can be done on foot in the terrain and possibly also with the help of drones.
Kolima’s license covers just under 850 hectares.
The permit area was limited to
The city of Viitasaari issued a negative statement on the Kolima ore prospecting permit citing that the area is sensitive in terms of groundwater and nature conservation.
The permit area is located next to the groundwater area. No mechanized ore prospecting is planned near the groundwater area.
According to the Museum of Central Finland, there are no ancient monuments in the area. The Natura area next to the permit area is taken into account so that no solid matter can end up there. Bird nests may limit operating hours.
Mining is a separate issue
The permits granted now only enable prospecting, not mining.
– Starting a mining operation is a process of up to tens of years with its own zoning, mining and environmental permit processes, says Tuominen
The municipality can block the entrance of the mine to its territory, because a mine always needs a plan that enables it.
The ore prospecting permits approved now are temporary and valid for four years. If you want to continue the search after the deadline, you must also apply for an extension for the permits.
Permission decisions made now can still be appealed to the Hämeenlinna Administrative Court.
*You can discuss the topic on 24.3. until 23:00.*