So that is what a positive outcome looks like for you?
Exploitation Concession does not confer the right to operate, and three additional primary permits are required before the approval to operate can be granted:
1. Environmental Permit (Swedish: Miljötillstånd). This will be applied for following completion of a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") and associated stakeholder engagement process.
2. Land Designation Permit (Swedish: Markanvisning) will be required to define the industrial area associated with the mining operation (such as tailings, waste rock, processing plant) and also involves stakeholder engagement.
3. Building Permit (Swedish: Byggnadstillstånd) will be required prior to construction.
The Exploitation Concession was granted with twelve special conditions. In summary, these conditions are:
1. In addition to what is stated in this decision, the company shall, in terms of precautions, protective measures and compensatory measures, use the land in accordance with what has been stated in the application with appendices and supplements and what the company has otherwise undertaken in this matter.
2. Construction works resulting from the use of the concession shall take place during periods when the least possible negative impact occurs on the ongoing reindeer herding in the surrounding areas.
3. The concession area shall use as little land as possible. As far as possible, impacts on reindeer migration routes shall be avoided. When using the concession, the company must also ensure that the least possible negative impact occurs when the migration routes and grazing areas adjacent to the concession area are used.
4. When using the concession, Jåhkågasska tjiellde Sami village's additional costs due to the impact on reindeer migration routes and reindeer grazing shall be compensated. The determination of compensation and the adjudication of any disputes regarding compensation comply with the provisions of the Minerals Act.
5. If Jåhkågasska tjiellde Sami village, despite measures to enable the prevailing reindeer migration, needs truck transport of its reindeer past the concession area, the company shall pay for such transport.
6. The company shall establish protective fences, protective embankments or other facilities to minimize the risk of accidents with reindeer within the concession area. The facilities shall be designed to allow safe crossings for reindeer through or past the concession area.
7. The company shall annually monitor the consequences for reindeer husbandry of the use of the concession and report it to the mining master, the Sami Parliament and the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County.
8. The company shall continuously consult with Jåhkågasska tjiellde, Sirges and Tuorpon Sami communities in order to clarify the need for measures and resources to meet conditions 1-7 and otherwise to counteract disturbances to reindeer husbandry. The consultation shall be carried out with the aim of reaching consensus with the Sami communities and documented. The company shall annually report completed consultations to the Sámi Parliament, the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten and the mining master. After the consultation, the mining master shall decide whether there is a need for changes to the conditions in accordance with Chapter 6. Section 4 of the Minerals Act.
9. When using the concession, the company shall conduct a dialogue with the Swedish National Heritage Board and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency in order to ensure that the necessary consideration is given to Laponia's status as a World Heritage Site.
10. The company shall, after completion of operations, ensure that the concession area is restored so that the land can again be used for reindeer husbandry. A plan for remediation must be drawn up in consultation with the affected Sami communities at an early stage of mining operations and updated continuously.
11. The company shall provide the mining master with a financial security of SEK 1,000,000. The security must be provided no later than when notification of commencement of mining operations in accordance with Section 57 of the Minerals Ordinance (1992:285) takes place.
12. In the event that the applicant intends to use the concession to apply for a permit under the Environmental Code for mining activities within the concession area, such application shall include an In-Depth Impact Assessment conducted in accordance with the principles of the IUCN World Heritage Advice Note on Environmental Assessment, which has previously been submitted to the World Heritage Centre of the United Nations Educational, Scientific Organization and culture.
+ UNESCO still has to release the report from their visit back in June
+their submission for the environmental permission is targeted in spring 2025
I wonder when they finally start mining and that said,
how long Mark will have to wait when even Talgas new local plan has been on hold for ages…
Your approach once again reveals why many of the local residents are opposed to mining companies over there.
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