TLG - Media, page-12044

https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/norrbotten/eu-vill-oka-mineralutvinning-kan-oka-pressen-pa-samebyar

"The EU wants to increase the extraction of minerals - may increase the pressure on Sami villages"

Published yesterday 15:30

Today, the European Commission presents its legal act for how the EU will become more self-sufficient in so-called critical minerals.

But in many cases, mining is opposed to other interests – as in the case of the mining company Talga's plans to mine graphite in the Talma Sami village's winter pastures in Kiruna municipality.

Talma Sami village has opposed the plans for graphite mining and the matter will be decided by the Land and Environment Court. The verdict is expected to come in early April.Ever since the plans for the mine took firmer shape around 2015, the Sami village has protested.

Many years of protests

It is not only the lands as such that are disappearing. Aslak Allas, chairman of the Sami village, fears that mining will scare the reindeer away from the area.

- There is dust, noise and everything possible. The reindeer will avoid the area, he says.

Indigenous rights

The question is whether the EU's upcoming package of laws on critical minerals will make it easier for mining exploiters in areas with land conflicts. For example, will it be pitted against indigenous law?

- I see it as a way to sell in to make it easier to start mines. But indigenous rights weigh heavily, says Aslak Allas."