In a press-release sent to BarentsObserver, the Murmansk based Priroda i Molodezh and Luonto-Liiton Pohjois-Suomen say Kovdor is no environmentally good alternative.
BarentsObserver reported earlier today that Yara says it is favourable to ship ore tailings from its coming Sokli mine in Finnish Lapland to existing concentrator plant in Kovdor on the Kola Peninsula.
The two environmental groups say in their statement that enrichment activities in Kovdor may lead to higher emissions than if the plant was constructed in Finland. Both environmental control and emission limits are weaker in Russia, the groups argue.
- All Nordic industrial cooperation in the region should include strict requirements for emission reductions, says Senni Luosujärvi, spokesperson for Luounto-Liiton in northern Finland.
Kovdor is already on NEFCO’s Hot Spots list for areas in the Barents Region where the environmental situation is so bad that measures must be taken.
The environmentalists underline that it is not easy to have a say when such environmental issues arise in Russia.
- We are ready to comment on the environmental impact of Yara’s plans in Kovdor if we get the opportunity and if we get access to relevant information, says Darya Chernsheva to BarentsObserver. She is head of the youth environmental group Priroda i Molodez (Nature and Youth).
Read also: Increased pressure on Russian Enviro Groups
Coordinator for Yara’s study on mining in Sokli in Finland and processing in Kovdor in Russia says one of the reasons to go for the Russian plant is to make less impact on the environment in the area near Sokli in Lapland.
Yara will make a final decision on the mining and processing during 2012.
