3.1.1 National Interest reindeer husbandry Environmental Code Chapter 3, Section 5 The plan area consists of winter pastures and reindeer herding area for Talma Sami village. Relocation trails and difficult passages of national
interest for reindeer husbandry under Chapter 3, Section 5 of the Environmental Code are designated west and south of the area of activity of Talma Sami village and **na Sami village, and east of the Vittangi River for Saarivuoma Sami village. The area south of torne älv ingyears in **na Sami village and existing road for mining traffic between E45 and Nunasvaara passes through a core area that constitutes national interest for reindeer husbandry. (Chapter 3, Section 5 of the Environmental Code), see picture on the next page. In connection with the preparation of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) regarding the application for a permit for mining and enrichment of the graphite deposit, consultations have been carried out with the Sami village, which at the time pointed out that they consider that both the key area located at Nunasvaara and all migration routes that are in the area are of national interest, even if the Sami Parliament has not identified the national interest. The County Administrative Board has pointed out in its consultation opinion that, due to the need for functional connections within the Sami village's grazing area, migration routes are so important that they could be considered to be of national interest. The picture above illustrates planned mining activities and the reindeer husbandry's national interests (Sami Parliament), migration routes, difficult passages, pleasant land, collection areas and rest areas. The approximate demarcation of the plane area marked with red dashed line. Talga, which is the company that intends to apply to mine the deposit, has commissioned Talma Sami village and **na Sami village to carry out their reindeer husbandry analyses to describe how their activities may be affected by the planned mining operations. This is a compilation of the information provided by the Sami communities and an assessment of the consequences has been carried out accordingly. The deposit Nunasvaara Södra is located within Talma Sami village and the area is located in the Sami village's winter pasture country. Talma Sami village allows reindeer to graze in the winter pastures from around December-January until April-May, but reindeer can occur in the area all year round. In the area in question there are a total of four migration routes that are excellent at The Sami Parliament's IRenmark. The second northernmost migration route and the two southern ones are classified by Sami Parliament as of national interest for reindeer husbandry and a difficult passage. The planned mining activities will affect reindeer husbandry by using land in the winter grazing country and thus not being available during the mining period. Noise, dust and increased traffic on Nunasvaaravägen may also affect reindeer husbandry. In order to minimise the impact on reindeer husbandry, a number of safeguards will be implemented. The single most important thing is that the break-up will only take place during the summer months when the reindeer are not in the area to the same extent. Other measures include planning the location and design of the industrial area in order to avoid the Sami national interest areas and to minimise the impact, and to minimise noise, light, dust and odours from the business in order to minimise the avoidance zone. Upon completion of mining operations, the area will be restored in consultation with Talma Sami village. Talma will also be compensated for the increased costs of reindeer husbandry that the company's operations entail. With the precautions and protective measures and compensatory measures planned, the consequences of the planned activities are assessed as small. Reindeer husbandry, which is one of Kiruna municipality's oldest industries, is an important part of the municipality's business community. The industry produces values that are difficult to put numbers on. Indirectly, many have their livelihoods wholly or partly from reindeer husbandry – craftsmen, slaughterhouses, the snowmobile industry and aviation companies. In rural areas, reindeer husbandry is crucial for employment and for the maintenance of private and public services. The right to reindeer herding in Sweden is vested in the Sami population under the Reindeer Husbandry Act 1971, in order to exercise that right, man must be a member of a Sami village. Of all Sami people in Sweden, about ten per cent are members of any Sami village. A Sami village is a specific area of land but also a form of economic cooperation. In the Sami village area, members are allowed to carry out reindeer husbandry. In addition, in parts of the area, members are allowed to fish and hunt. They also have the right to build cottages and facilities for reindeer husbandry and to take fuel and building timber for household needs and handicraft timber. Reindeer husbandry is based on the concept of ancient life, i.e. that man hunted, fished and used the reindeer grazing land since time immemorial. The Sami village's land area is divided into yearround land and winter pasture. In winter grazing, reindeer graze from 1 October to 30 April. The Environmental Code also protects reindeer husbandry by identifying areas as a national interest for reindeer husbandry. The designated areas shall be protected against measures which may significantly impede the pursuit of nutrition.
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