The main issue in the case has been the facility's release of mainly zinc into the water in Sörbrändöfjärden, where the County Administrative Board in Norrbotten County has questioned whether the releases can be allowed. The water conditions in the bay are complex based on the influence of the Luleälven and emissions from existing activities on Svartön. However, the court has judged that the facility's emissions do not lead to an impermissible deterioration of the water's status.
- The court has indeed judged that the emissions can be allowed, but at the same time has decided that the company must investigate the possibility of further purification before the court finally decides what conditions will apply to the emissions, says councilor Jonas Öhlund, who was the court's chairman.
The combined investigation in the case shows, according to the court, that the activity's impact on human health or the environment will not be greater than it can be accepted, after the necessary protective measures have been taken. The business can therefore be granted permission under the conditions prescribed by the court. For the water discharges, temporary conditions apply pending the further investigations the company must carry out.
The license means that the company may manufacture up to 22,000 tonnes of battery anode material per year. As raw material, the company intends to use graphite from its planned mines in Vittangi.
The judgment can be appealed to the Land and Environmental Court of Appeal within three weeks.
