Sydvaranger Mine has applied the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority for permission to flush more than 2000 tons of waste every year into the nearby fjord, Bøkfjorden. The reason for the extended waste permit application is the need to improve the quality of the iron ore product. The price level depends on the quality of the product, and with the current price level the mining company will have to improve the product quality if production is to become profitable.
According to local newspaper Finnmarken, the pollution will have a severe impact on the marine life in the fjord, and will cause the death of marine organisms. However, Sydvaranger argues that it has learnt a lot about environmental consequences by conducting several studies, and that the waste will not cause any danger for humans. According to Sydvaranger, the rapid increase of Red King Crab in the fjords is a bigger problem for the fauna than the pollutions from mining.
