- Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
Toni Eerola
Geological Survey of Finland / Åbo Akademi University, Southern Finland, Department Member
- Geology, Environmental Studies, Corporate Social Responsibility, Energy and Environment, Geoaesthetics, Geosciences, and 28 moreGlacial Geology, Neoproterozoic, Public Awareness of Geosciences, Geological Education, Land-atmosphere interactions, Climate Changes and Climate Variability, Statistical and Dynamical Downscaling, Surface and Subsurface Hydrology, Remote sensing applications, Data Assimilation, Statistical Methods Applications, Social Psychology, Performance Studies, Performance Art, Environmental Policy and Governance, Environmental Anthropology, Environmental Sociology, Psychogeography, Igneous petrology, Environmental Sustainability, Geo-aesthetics, Mineral exploration, Geologia, Stakeholder Engagement, Anthropocene, Environmental Activism, Transnational Social Movements, and Social Licence to Operateedit
Disruptions to the global supply chains of critical raw materials (CRM) have the potential to delay or increase the cost of the renewable energy transition. However, for some CRM, the primary drivers of these supply chain disruptions are... more
Disruptions to the global supply chains of critical raw materials (CRM) have the potential to delay or increase the cost of the renewable energy transition. However, for some CRM, the primary drivers of these supply chain disruptions are likely to be issues related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) rather than geological scarcity. Herein we combine public geospatial data as mappable proxies for key ESG indicators (e.g., conservation, biodiversity, freshwater, energy, waste, land use, human development, health and safety, and governance) and a global dataset of news events to train and validate three models for predicting "conflict" events (e.g., disputes, protests, violence) that can negatively impact CRM supply chains: (1) a knowledgedriven fuzzy logic model that yields an area under the curve (AUC) for the receiver operating characteristics plot of 0.72 for the entire model; (2) a naïve Bayes model that yields an AUC of 0.81 for the test set; and (3) a deep learning model comprising stacked autoencoders and a feed-forward artificial neural network that yields an AUC of 0.91 for the test set. The high AUC of the deep learning model demonstrates that public geospatial data can accurately predict natural resources conflicts, but we show that machine learning results are biased by proxies for population density and likely underestimate the potential for conflict in remote areas. Knowledge-driven methods are the least impacted by population bias and are used to calculate an ESG rating that is then applied to a global dataset of lithium occurrences as a case study. We demonstrate that giant lithium brine deposits (i.e., >10 Mt Li 2 O) are restricted to regions with higher spatially situated risks relative to a subset of smaller pegmatitehosted deposits that yield higher ESG ratings (i.e., lower risk). Our results reveal tradeoffs between the sources of lithium, resource size, and spatially situated risks. We suggest that this type of geospatial ESG rating is broadly applicable to other CRM and that mapping spatially situated risks prior to mineral exploration has the potential to improve ESG outcomes and government policies that strengthen supply chains.
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The evolution of the Finnish mining-sceptical movement (MSM) is described and situated within the context of Finnish environmental protest waves (EPWs). This evolution occurred through the uranium debate (UD; since 2005) and mining debate... more
The evolution of the Finnish mining-sceptical movement (MSM) is described and situated within the context of Finnish environmental protest waves (EPWs). This evolution occurred through the uranium debate (UD; since 2005) and mining debate (MD; 2010-ongoing). These stages are described and compared with the characteristics of the Finnish EPWs. The purpose is to determine whether the evolution of the MSM represents a new EPW in Finland.
Five EPWs are reported to have occurred in Finland. After the end of the last EPW at the beginning of 2000s, the Finnish environmental movement lost its impetus, followed by a swell/latency. However, the climate change debate returned nuclear energy to the agenda. Together with the rebirth of the Finnish mining industry resulting from activities carried out by foreign companies, uranium exploration restarted in Finland in 2005, which raised opposition. The UD revitalised the environmental movement and opened spaces for local resistance in the countryside. Even though uranium exploration ended in Finland, the UD continued as attention shifted towards other projects associated with uranium. The environmental problems of the Talvivaara mine increased opposition and directed the MD towards projects also focused on other commodities. Because of its duration, impacts, and importance, the evolution of the MSM is suggested to form the sixth Finnish EPW.
Five EPWs are reported to have occurred in Finland. After the end of the last EPW at the beginning of 2000s, the Finnish environmental movement lost its impetus, followed by a swell/latency. However, the climate change debate returned nuclear energy to the agenda. Together with the rebirth of the Finnish mining industry resulting from activities carried out by foreign companies, uranium exploration restarted in Finland in 2005, which raised opposition. The UD revitalised the environmental movement and opened spaces for local resistance in the countryside. Even though uranium exploration ended in Finland, the UD continued as attention shifted towards other projects associated with uranium. The environmental problems of the Talvivaara mine increased opposition and directed the MD towards projects also focused on other commodities. Because of its duration, impacts, and importance, the evolution of the MSM is suggested to form the sixth Finnish EPW.
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This paper discusses the importance of the energy transition metals Ni, Co and Li in building Europe’s clean technology value chains and meeting the 2050 climate-neutrality goal. Some emerging metal extraction technologies, investigated... more
This paper discusses the importance of the energy transition metals Ni, Co and Li in building Europe’s clean technology value chains and meeting the 2050 climate-neutrality goal. Some emerging metal extraction technologies, investigated in the framework of the Horizon Europe projects ENICON and EXCEED, in order to decrease the carbon footprint of the production of energy transition metals, are also discussed.
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Lithium, that is now exclusively produced outside the European Union (EU), is needed urgently for the green energy transition. The EU has promising lithium projects; however, the social license to operate (SLO) is important for their... more
Lithium, that is now exclusively produced outside the European Union (EU), is needed urgently for the green energy transition. The EU has promising lithium projects; however, the social license to operate (SLO) is important for their long-term viability. In this paper, four lithium projects are preliminary assessed using data from the literature and media regarding their SLO. The projects that aim for hard rock lithium production are (i) the Rapasaari project owned by Sibanye-Stillwater Keliber Oy in Kaustinen, western Finland, (ii) the Mina do Barroso project, owned by Savannah
Resources, in northern Portugal, (iii) the St. Austell project, owned by Cornish Lithium plc, in Cornwall, UK, and (iv) the Emili project, owned by Imerys, in Beauvoir (Allier) in western France. The respective corporate websites were searched, regarding their languages while the companies’
SLO approaches and strategies were also analyzed.
Resources, in northern Portugal, (iii) the St. Austell project, owned by Cornish Lithium plc, in Cornwall, UK, and (iv) the Emili project, owned by Imerys, in Beauvoir (Allier) in western France. The respective corporate websites were searched, regarding their languages while the companies’
SLO approaches and strategies were also analyzed.
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This study explores factors affecting local actors' and citizens' attitudes to mineral exploration, and how attitudes to exploration relates to those of mining. The concept Social License to Explore (SLE), originating from Social License... more
This study explores factors affecting local actors' and citizens' attitudes to mineral exploration, and how attitudes to exploration relates to those of mining. The concept Social License to Explore (SLE), originating from Social License to Operate (SLO), is used to address the relationship between exploration companies and affected local communities. The study focuses on attitudes in three municipalities in northern Sweden and Finland and combines qualitative and quantitative methods. The results show that local attitudes to mineral exploration and mining correlate strongly and are intimately linked. Perceptions of impacts, the permit process, and trust in government and company affect local attitudes, but company performance seems to be most important where trust was not established. We argue that values about nature, economy, and value-based development preferences, are central as they shape local attitudes and perceptions of impacts and process. While company conduct and community engagement are within the control of companies, local values and development preferences are largely outside of their control. However, insights about contextual conditions shaping attitudes and values can be generalized and help companies make more informed decisions. Responsible target selection is a strategy within the control of the company which can help avoid intractable and costly conflicts.
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Geosystem services produced by geological processes are the abiotic equivalents of ecosystem services. Geosystems also contribute to satisfying human needs and produce welfare in the form of, e.g., mineral deposits, landscapes for... more
Geosystem services produced by geological processes are the abiotic equivalents of ecosystem services. Geosystems also contribute to satisfying human needs and produce welfare in the form of, e.g., mineral deposits, landscapes for recreation and tourism, and habitats for rare species that require protection. Geosystems are inherently linked to ecosystems, which causes overlap between provided services. This overlap may in turn cause conflicts over land-use needs and interests. Such controversies can be manifested as mining and mineral exploration disputes (MMEDs). Six MMEDs from Finland were selected for a closer examination. The MMEDs are described and spatially analyzed from the geosystem services perspective. The main causes for the examined MMEDs are land-use issues, i.e., the location of a project in a sensitive context (a protected area (PA), tourism destination, reindeer herding area, or lake area with vacation homes), and/or association with uranium. There have been attempts to block some of the projects through land-use planning by expanding PAs or excluding mining from the municipality. Conversely, one of the projects is an example of the safeguarding of mineral deposits by province-level land-use planning. A more comprehensive consideration of geosystem services by land-use planning may help to accommodate and reconciliate diverse interests and alleviate disputes.
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Mineral exploration is an industry of uncertainties. Only 0,1% of exploration projects become mines, as the volume, content, and quality of a deposit all must be economically justifiable to find funding in the global financial market.... more
Mineral exploration is an industry of uncertainties. Only 0,1% of exploration projects become mines, as the volume, content, and quality of a deposit all must be economically justifiable to find funding in the global financial market. However, the business risk of mineral exploration is not limited to geotechnical and financial risks, as social aspects are now considered the biggest risk facing the industry. Here, we identify three social aspects of business risk that may challenge the industry: political, reputational, and local acceptability. Political risk arises when sectoral authorities and the related legislation come into conflict, such as mineral versus environmental legislation. Reputational risk lies in the relationship between a company's past and current operations in combination with the legitimacy of the entire industry. Local acceptability risk parallels the social license to operate, with poor corporate conduct, competition with other livelihoods, intrusion into culturally sensitive areas, and local values critical of mining all potentially evoking resistance. Companies must be aware not only of the nuances of each social aspect but also of the interplay between them to understand the full scale and scope of the business risks associated with exploration.
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The Finnish mining and mineral exploration disputes (MMEDs) of the 2000s started with the uranium dispute (2006-2008), when the global mining industry rushed into Finland. The Finnish mining skeptical movement originated by focusing on... more
The Finnish mining and mineral exploration disputes (MMEDs) of the 2000s started with the uranium dispute (2006-2008), when the global mining industry rushed into Finland. The Finnish mining skeptical movement originated by focusing on projects associated with uranium. One of these projects, the Talvivaara polymetallic mine, became the key event of the following mining dispute because of its gypsy pond leakage in 2012. Many disputes have persisted for years, while others have ended, and new ones have appeared. Twenty ongoing disputes were identified in Finland. Fourteen of the cases are related to mineral exploration, four to mine projects, and two to mines. The long-term disputes are mostly focused on mines and mine projects in northern Finland, whereas the most recent disputes are mostly related to mineral exploration in southeastern Finland. The main reasons for disputes are the conflicting use of land (indigenous Sámi homeland, lake regions with holiday homes, nature conservation, reindeer herding, and tourism), an association with uranium, poor corporate conduct (lack of communication and stakeholder engagement) and/or reputation. The identification, mapping and monitoring of MMEDs in Finland will support future studies regarding the analysis of their causes, dynamics, evolution, actors, and possible solutions. Their investigation can help to understand and avoid disputes, conciliate diverse interests, and solve disagreements.
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The websites of companies practicing mineral exploration in Finland (CPMEF) were surveyed for references to new low-impact mineral exploration technologies (NLIMET) and the social license to explore (SLE), i.e., acceptance/approval of... more
The websites of companies practicing mineral exploration in Finland (CPMEF) were surveyed for references to new low-impact mineral exploration technologies (NLIMET) and the social license to explore (SLE), i.e., acceptance/approval of mineral exploration by the local community. The purpose was to examine which NLIMET are used by the companies and how they understand the SLE, how these two topics are communicated on their websites, whether they are interlinked, and what may be the motivation for communicating these topics. Twenty companies were found to refer to SLE-related issues on their websites. However, most of these websites do not directly mention the SLE as a term, but instead address it under terms such as acceptance, stakeholder engagement or the company-community relationship. Nine companies report the use of NLIMET. Coincidently, the same companies mostly also refer to the SLE. The operational contexts of companies mentioning NLIMET were examined, and most of them were found to be exploring in sensitive areas and/or deposits associated with uranium and facing opposition. Indeed, such contexts may challenge the acquisition the SLE in Finland, even if the companies apply and communicate the use of NLIMET.
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Major benefits and constraints related to mineral extraction within the EU have been identified on the examples of selected critical raw materials’ deposits. Analyzed case studies include the following ore deposits: Myszków Mo-W-Cu... more
Major benefits and constraints related to mineral extraction within the EU have been identified on the examples of selected critical raw materials’ deposits. Analyzed case studies include the following ore deposits: Myszków Mo-W-Cu (Poland), Juomasuo Au-Co (Finland), S. Pedro das
Águias W-Sn (Portugal), Penouta Nb-Ta-Sn (Spain), Norra Kärr REEs (Sweden) and Trælen graphite (Norway). They represent different stages of development, from the early/grassroot exploration stage, through advanced exploration and active mining, up to reopening of abandoned mines, and refer to different problems and constraints related to the possibility of exploitation commencement.
The multi-criteria analysis of the cases has included geological and economic factors as well as environmental, land use, social acceptance and infrastructure factors. These factors, in terms of cost and benefit analysis, have been considered at three levels: local, country and EU levels. The analyzed cases indicated the major obstacles that occur in different stages of deposit development and need to be overcome in order to enable a new deposit exploitation commencement. These are environmental (Juomasuo and Myszków), spatial (Juomasuo) as well as social constraints (Norra Kärr, Juomasuo). In the analyzed cases, the most important constraints related to future deposit extraction occur
primarily at a local level, while some important benefits are identified mainly at the country and the EU levels. These major benefits are related to securing long-term supplies for the national industries
and strategically important EU industry sectors.
Águias W-Sn (Portugal), Penouta Nb-Ta-Sn (Spain), Norra Kärr REEs (Sweden) and Trælen graphite (Norway). They represent different stages of development, from the early/grassroot exploration stage, through advanced exploration and active mining, up to reopening of abandoned mines, and refer to different problems and constraints related to the possibility of exploitation commencement.
The multi-criteria analysis of the cases has included geological and economic factors as well as environmental, land use, social acceptance and infrastructure factors. These factors, in terms of cost and benefit analysis, have been considered at three levels: local, country and EU levels. The analyzed cases indicated the major obstacles that occur in different stages of deposit development and need to be overcome in order to enable a new deposit exploitation commencement. These are environmental (Juomasuo and Myszków), spatial (Juomasuo) as well as social constraints (Norra Kärr, Juomasuo). In the analyzed cases, the most important constraints related to future deposit extraction occur
primarily at a local level, while some important benefits are identified mainly at the country and the EU levels. These major benefits are related to securing long-term supplies for the national industries
and strategically important EU industry sectors.
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Artikkeli kertoo Kestävän kaivostoiminnan verkostossa kehitetystä sidosryhmätoiminnan mallista malminetsintään Suomessa.
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Describes results of the Hyvinkää-Mäntsälä Ore Project at the region of Mäntälä, Southern Finland. The main insight was the observation of a widespread mafic-felsic magma interaction at the region characerized by 1.87 Ga lauyered orogenic... more
Describes results of the Hyvinkää-Mäntsälä Ore Project at the region of Mäntälä, Southern Finland. The main insight was the observation of a widespread mafic-felsic magma interaction at the region characerized by 1.87 Ga lauyered orogenic gabbros, and peridotites.
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The paper describes investigations of the author at the Lavras do Sul region, southernmost Brazil, where the presence of Neoproterozoic glacial deposit was suggested for the first time based on diamictites, and supposed dropstones.
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A number of foreign companies are operating in northern and eastern Finland, which has caused opposition. This initially regarded uranium exploration, but following the leakage of the gypsum pond at the Talvivaara nickel mine, the... more
A number of foreign companies are operating in northern and eastern Finland, which has caused opposition. This initially regarded uranium exploration, but following the leakage of the gypsum pond at the Talvivaara nickel mine, the resistance has also concerned other commodities. For this reason, the government, research institutions and universities have launched a number of projects to promote and investigate the social license to operate (SLO) and corporate social
responsibility (CSR) of the mining industry in Finland. Among other initiatives, the Geological Survey of Finland has contributed to these efforts by leading the Mining Academy and participating within the Sustainable Acceptable Mining (SAM) projects and activities of the network of Sustainable Mining. While the majority of similar projects have focused on mines and mining companies, the Mining Academy, SAM and Network for Sustainable Mining have also contributed to understanding of the social aspects of mineral exploration.
This report is a contribution to the discussion on SLO and CSR in mineral exploration in Finland. It begins by describing the Mining Academy and SAM projects and defines the concepts of SLO and CSR, also considering the differences and challenges in SLO and CSR in industrialized and developing countries. Several methods have been developed by the industry for stakeholder engagement since
the 1990s, when opposition to mining and mineral exploration started to grow internationally. However, most of these methods have been created for developing countries and/or to deal with aboriginal people. Because the conditions in industrialized to post-industrialized countries are very different from these, the methods should be adapted to industrialized countries like Finland.
The report defines and describes mineral exploration. The views and wishes of stakeholders and mineral exploration companies concerning the sustainability of mineral exploration are presented in the form of results from a survey conducted through interviews and a seminar workshop carried out by the Mining Academy. The survey produced a series of best practices that are listed in this report. Communication and stakeholder engagement are the main issues of CSR and SLO
in mineral exploration in Finland. Contacting and informing local communities about mineral exploration at the very beginning helps companies to establish a good relationship with them, earning a local social license to operate. Tailored approaches to contacting and informing the stakeholder groups are described. After this first and crucial contact, other elements of stakeholder engagement should
be built up in order to have multi-stage and integrated interaction between the company and community. This report describes a model for stakeholder engagement developed for mineral exploration in Finland within companies, the Mining Academy, the SAM project and the Network for Sustainable Mining.
responsibility (CSR) of the mining industry in Finland. Among other initiatives, the Geological Survey of Finland has contributed to these efforts by leading the Mining Academy and participating within the Sustainable Acceptable Mining (SAM) projects and activities of the network of Sustainable Mining. While the majority of similar projects have focused on mines and mining companies, the Mining Academy, SAM and Network for Sustainable Mining have also contributed to understanding of the social aspects of mineral exploration.
This report is a contribution to the discussion on SLO and CSR in mineral exploration in Finland. It begins by describing the Mining Academy and SAM projects and defines the concepts of SLO and CSR, also considering the differences and challenges in SLO and CSR in industrialized and developing countries. Several methods have been developed by the industry for stakeholder engagement since
the 1990s, when opposition to mining and mineral exploration started to grow internationally. However, most of these methods have been created for developing countries and/or to deal with aboriginal people. Because the conditions in industrialized to post-industrialized countries are very different from these, the methods should be adapted to industrialized countries like Finland.
The report defines and describes mineral exploration. The views and wishes of stakeholders and mineral exploration companies concerning the sustainability of mineral exploration are presented in the form of results from a survey conducted through interviews and a seminar workshop carried out by the Mining Academy. The survey produced a series of best practices that are listed in this report. Communication and stakeholder engagement are the main issues of CSR and SLO
in mineral exploration in Finland. Contacting and informing local communities about mineral exploration at the very beginning helps companies to establish a good relationship with them, earning a local social license to operate. Tailored approaches to contacting and informing the stakeholder groups are described. After this first and crucial contact, other elements of stakeholder engagement should
be built up in order to have multi-stage and integrated interaction between the company and community. This report describes a model for stakeholder engagement developed for mineral exploration in Finland within companies, the Mining Academy, the SAM project and the Network for Sustainable Mining.
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Julkaisu kuvailee Brasiliassa kehitetyn kokeilun, jossa sovellettiin situationistien psykomaantiedettä geologian opetukseen. Maantieteen opiskelijoiden harjoituksen kohteena olivat kauppakeskusten sisustuskivet.
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A number of foreign companies are operating in northern and eastern Finland, which has caused opposition. This initially regarded uranium exploration, but following the leakage of the gypsum pond at the Talvivaara nickel mine, the... more
A number of foreign companies are operating in northern and eastern Finland, which has caused opposition. This initially regarded uranium exploration, but following the leakage of the gypsum pond at the Talvivaara nickel mine, the resistance has also concerned other commodities. For this reason, the government, research institutions and universities have launched a number of projects to promote and investigate the social license to operate (SLO) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the mining industry in Finland. Among other initiatives, the Geological Survey of Finland has contributed to these efforts by leading the Mining Academy and participating within the Sustainable Acceptable Mining (SAM) projects and activities of the network of Sustainable Mining. While the majority of similar projects have focused on mines and mining companies, the Mining Academy, SAM and Network for Sustainable Mining have contributed to understanding of the social aspects of mineral exploration.
This report is a contribution to the discussion on SLO and CSR in mineral exploration in Finland. It begins by describing the Mining Academy and SAM projects and defines the concepts of SLO and CSR, also considering the differences and challenges in SLO and CSR in industrialized and developing countries. Several methods have been developed by the industry for stakeholder engagement since the 1990s, when opposition to mining and mineral exploration started to grow internationally. However, most of these methods have been created for developing countries and/or to deal with aboriginal people. Because the conditions in industrialized to post-industrialized countries are very different from these, the methods should be adapted to industrialized countries like Finland.
The report describes what is mineral exploration. The views and wishes of stakeholders and mineral exploration companies concerning the sustainability of mineral exploration are presented in the form of results from a survey conducted through interviews and a seminar workshop carried out by the Mining Academy. The survey produced a series of best practices that are listed in this report.
Communication and stakeholder engagement are the main issues of CSR and SLO in mineral exploration in Finland. Contacting and informing local communities about mineral exploration at the very beginning helps companies to establish a good relationship with them, earning a local social license to operate. Tailored approaches to contacting and informing the stakeholder groups are described. After this first and crucial contact, other elements of stakeholder engagement should be built up in order to have multi-stage and integrated interaction between the company and community, which are described. This report describes a model for stakeholder engagement developed for mineral exploration in Finland within companies, the Mining Academy, the SAM project and the Network for Sustainable Mining.
This report is a contribution to the discussion on SLO and CSR in mineral exploration in Finland. It begins by describing the Mining Academy and SAM projects and defines the concepts of SLO and CSR, also considering the differences and challenges in SLO and CSR in industrialized and developing countries. Several methods have been developed by the industry for stakeholder engagement since the 1990s, when opposition to mining and mineral exploration started to grow internationally. However, most of these methods have been created for developing countries and/or to deal with aboriginal people. Because the conditions in industrialized to post-industrialized countries are very different from these, the methods should be adapted to industrialized countries like Finland.
The report describes what is mineral exploration. The views and wishes of stakeholders and mineral exploration companies concerning the sustainability of mineral exploration are presented in the form of results from a survey conducted through interviews and a seminar workshop carried out by the Mining Academy. The survey produced a series of best practices that are listed in this report.
Communication and stakeholder engagement are the main issues of CSR and SLO in mineral exploration in Finland. Contacting and informing local communities about mineral exploration at the very beginning helps companies to establish a good relationship with them, earning a local social license to operate. Tailored approaches to contacting and informing the stakeholder groups are described. After this first and crucial contact, other elements of stakeholder engagement should be built up in order to have multi-stage and integrated interaction between the company and community, which are described. This report describes a model for stakeholder engagement developed for mineral exploration in Finland within companies, the Mining Academy, the SAM project and the Network for Sustainable Mining.
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During the the 2014 New Performance Turku Festival, Finland, a Walkapolis geological city walk was arranged. The walk was guided by 12 urban geological sites selected from a published geological city walk guide (www.kivikierros.com). The... more
During the the 2014 New Performance Turku Festival, Finland, a Walkapolis geological city walk was arranged. The walk was guided by 12 urban geological sites selected from a published geological city walk guide (www.kivikierros.com).
The aim of the geological city walk was to disseminate geology through the geo-aesthetics of dimension stones in a constructed milieu. During the walk, rocks were investigated and their role in building, architecture and art was analyzed. Geology provided the content for the walk and thus an interaction between humans, nature and the city was formed.
Observing rocks in public spaces can be considered as a performance. A collective study of rocks in a bank’s columns, stairs and walls, and “cleaning” of granite’s structures on a mall’s floor caused disturbance which attracted by-passers to become spectators of a geological performances. Some spectators asked what was happening, producing encounters in which they were informed on surrounding geology.
The walk also included geo-rhythmic exercises where Earth's processes were simulated by participants’ groups, bodies and their movements. These exercises were considered funny and informative by the participants.
The geological city walk managed to reach out to the participants by making them aware of the surrounding geology and its applying in urban environment. During the walk, the experience of singular geological processes lead to a deeper understanding on how our Earth works, thus giving a positive mental image of geology, dimension stones as a natural resource, their application in construction and the learned topics.
After the walk, a discussion was arranged, where positive feedback was received. Applying this cross-disciplinary and artistic approach, the image of the city and its environment can be seen from a new perspective.
The aim of the geological city walk was to disseminate geology through the geo-aesthetics of dimension stones in a constructed milieu. During the walk, rocks were investigated and their role in building, architecture and art was analyzed. Geology provided the content for the walk and thus an interaction between humans, nature and the city was formed.
Observing rocks in public spaces can be considered as a performance. A collective study of rocks in a bank’s columns, stairs and walls, and “cleaning” of granite’s structures on a mall’s floor caused disturbance which attracted by-passers to become spectators of a geological performances. Some spectators asked what was happening, producing encounters in which they were informed on surrounding geology.
The walk also included geo-rhythmic exercises where Earth's processes were simulated by participants’ groups, bodies and their movements. These exercises were considered funny and informative by the participants.
The geological city walk managed to reach out to the participants by making them aware of the surrounding geology and its applying in urban environment. During the walk, the experience of singular geological processes lead to a deeper understanding on how our Earth works, thus giving a positive mental image of geology, dimension stones as a natural resource, their application in construction and the learned topics.
After the walk, a discussion was arranged, where positive feedback was received. Applying this cross-disciplinary and artistic approach, the image of the city and its environment can be seen from a new perspective.
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The recent uranium and current mining disputes in Finland are located within the context of the Finnish environmental protest waves. There were five main such mobilizations in Finland. The last one of these was the anti-globalization... more
The recent uranium and current mining disputes
in Finland are located within the context of the Finnish
environmental protest waves. There were five main such
mobilizations in Finland. The last one of these was the
anti-globalization movement at the end of 1990’s and
beginning of 2000’s. The anti-globalization movement
struggled against global structures, neglecting Finland and
the environment. After its end, the environmental
movement lost its impetus that was followed by years of
latency. The climate change debate buried other
environmental questions and re-emerged nuclear energy.
Uranium exploration re-started at 2005, what raise
opposition. If the anti-globalization movement represented
the "return of politics", the uranium dispute restored the
environment back to Finland as a local question. It
refreshed the environmental movement and opened up
spaces for resistance in the countryside. However, it
ceased rapidly when uranium exploration companies left
Finland due to recession. The activists' attention shifted
towards new mining and development projects.
Environmental problems of the Talvivaara nickel mine
increased opposition. A discussion on corporate social
responsibility began and social scientists started to
investigate mining. The Mining Act was renewed, the
Finnish government is promoting responsible mining and
the industry looks for the best practices and dialogue with
its stakeholders.
in Finland are located within the context of the Finnish
environmental protest waves. There were five main such
mobilizations in Finland. The last one of these was the
anti-globalization movement at the end of 1990’s and
beginning of 2000’s. The anti-globalization movement
struggled against global structures, neglecting Finland and
the environment. After its end, the environmental
movement lost its impetus that was followed by years of
latency. The climate change debate buried other
environmental questions and re-emerged nuclear energy.
Uranium exploration re-started at 2005, what raise
opposition. If the anti-globalization movement represented
the "return of politics", the uranium dispute restored the
environment back to Finland as a local question. It
refreshed the environmental movement and opened up
spaces for resistance in the countryside. However, it
ceased rapidly when uranium exploration companies left
Finland due to recession. The activists' attention shifted
towards new mining and development projects.
Environmental problems of the Talvivaara nickel mine
increased opposition. A discussion on corporate social
responsibility began and social scientists started to
investigate mining. The Mining Act was renewed, the
Finnish government is promoting responsible mining and
the industry looks for the best practices and dialogue with
its stakeholders.
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Research Interests: Social Psychology, Geology, Art Theory, Performance Studies, Contemporary Art, and 11 morePoetry, Modern Art, Psychogeography, Performance Art, Art Criticism, Post-modernism, Geological Education, Critical Poetics, Geoaethetics, Continental Philosophy and Aesthetics, and Modernism and Posmodernism in Post World War Two North America
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Arvio Veli-Pekka Lehtolan Saamelaiskiista. Sortaako Suomi alkuperäiskansaansa? -kirjasta.
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Arvio kuudesta tiedeviestintää käsittelevästä kirjasta: Julkinen tiede, Kuka oikein tietää?, Maito tappaa ja muita outoja tiedeuutisia, Julkaise tai tuhoudu!, Opas tieteen yleistajuistamiseen ja Tajuaako kukaan?
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Kirja-arvio:
-Elina Grundströmin Malminetsijät. Kertomus kahdesta työttömästä geologista jotka iskivät kultasuoneen ja
-Tuija Monosen ja Leena Suopajärven toimittama Kaivos suomalaisessa yhteiskunnassa.
-Elina Grundströmin Malminetsijät. Kertomus kahdesta työttömästä geologista jotka iskivät kultasuoneen ja
-Tuija Monosen ja Leena Suopajärven toimittama Kaivos suomalaisessa yhteiskunnassa.
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Katsaus Talvivaaran ja kaivoskeskustelun inspiroimaan taiteeseen: kirjoja, elokuvia, dokumenttifilmejä, tanssia, teatteria, maalauksia.
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Itä-Lapin kuntayhtymän alueella toteutettiin vuosina 2019–2021 Euroopan aluekehitysrahaston rahoittama ILPO-hanke (Malminetsinnän aluetaloudelliset vaikutukset ja niiden hyödyntäminen ItäLapin elinkeinoelämässä, A75306). Hankkeen... more
Itä-Lapin kuntayhtymän alueella toteutettiin vuosina 2019–2021 Euroopan aluekehitysrahaston rahoittama ILPO-hanke (Malminetsinnän aluetaloudelliset vaikutukset ja niiden hyödyntäminen ItäLapin elinkeinoelämässä, A75306). Hankkeen toteuttajina olivat Geologian tutkimuskeskus (GTK), Lapin yliopisto ja Itä-Lapin kuntayhtymä. Tämän hankkeen tavoitteena oli tuoda esiin näkökulmia
malminetsinnästä ja siihen liittyvistä kysymyksistä sekä selvittää Itä-Lapin malmipotentiaalia. Lisäksi arvioitiin malminetsinnän aluetaloudellisia vaikutuksia Itä-Lapissa sekä tunnistettiin ja selvitettiin
malminetsinnän tarjoamia mahdollisuuksia alueen elinkeinoelämälle.
Malminetsintä on toimintaa, jonka avulla pyritään paikantamaan uusia mineraalisia raaka-ainevaroja. Tämä on välttämätöntä esimerkiksi nykyisen elintason ylläpitämiseksi ja vihreän siirtymän
toteutuksessa. Samalla tämä työ tuottaa suuria määriä geologista tutkimustietoa maankamarasta.
Suomessa malminetsintää suorittavat pääosin ulkomaiset malminetsintä- ja kaivosyhtiöt. Suomen kaivoslakia ollaan uudistamassa, mutta tällä hetkellä malminetsintää voidaan suorittaa Turvallisuusja kemikaaliviraston (TUKES) myöntämien kaivoslakiin perustuvien lupien turvin (esim. varaus- ja malminetsintälupa). Etsintätyötä voidaan myös toteuttaa maanomistajan luvalla. Tällä hetkellä malminetsinnällistä aktiivisuutta on useiden kuntien alueella, mikä on osoitus alueen houkuttelevuudesta.
Malminetsintä alkaa usein tiedusteluluonteisella tutkimusvaiheella, joka suoritetaan pääosin kirjoituspöydän takaa. Tästä edetään luvitukseen sekä maastossa tapahtuviin tutkimuksiin, jotka pitävät
sisällään kallioperäkartoitusta, lohkare-etsintää, geofysiikan mittausta, geokemiallisia tutkimuksia ja usein myös syväkairausta.
Keskustelu malminetsinnästä ja kaivostoiminnasta on ollut aktiivista viime vuosina. Pääpaino on ollut etenkin toiminnan aiheuttamissa haitoissa muille elinkeinoille sekä ulkomaisten yhtiöiden toiminnassa
ja ympäristöön kohdistuvissa mahdollisissa vaikutuksissa. Osa näistä on eskaloitunut kiistoiksi, ja ne ovat synnyttäneet kansalaisliikkeitä. Itä-Lapissa merkittävin kiista liittyy Soklin projektiin. Toisena
painona vaakakupissa ovat malminetsinnän ja kaivostoiminnan tarjoamat työpaikat syrjäisille seuduille kuin myös kiistaton tarve mineraalisille raaka-ainevaroille, joiden etsintä ja hyödyntäminen
ovat globaaleja kysymyksiä.
Itä-Lapin kallioperä edustaa kattavaa leikkausta Pohjois-Suomen geologisesta historiasta. Alueen vanhimmat kivilajit ovat 3 500 miljoonan vuoden ikäisiä, mutta nuorimmat kivilajit ovat vain 365
miljoonaa vuotta vanhoja. Pitkä geologinen aika mahdollistaa sen, että Itä-Lapin kallioperä on potentiaalinen erilaisissa geologisissa prosesseissa syntyneiden malmi- ja mineraaliesiintymien olemassaololle (esim. Ni-Cu-Co-PGE ja Ti-V-Fe-Cr, Au-Cu-Co, Au ja Fe-Cu-Au malmit). GTK:n geologisen tuntemuksen, löytymättömien mineraalivarojen arvioinnin ja myös prospektiivisuusmallinnuksen
perusteella alue omaa selkeää mineraalipotentiaalia. Löytymättömät mineraalivarat ovat hypoteettisia ja spekulatiivisia, mutta niiden arvio perustuu asiantuntija-arvioon sekä olemassa olevaan tietoon
ja näiden yhdistämiseen. Prospektiivisuusmallinnus puolestaan perustuu moninaisen geologisen paikkatietoaineiston yhdistämiseen metallikohtaisiksi prospektiivisuusmalleiksi.
Malminetsintä on aluetalouden perinteistä päätöksentekoa haastava teema, sillä malmipotentiaali ei noudata hallinnollisia rajoja ja kiinnostus myös yhteiskunnan eri sektoreiden raja-aitoja. Siksi tutkijoiden, paikallishallinnon edustajien ja kaivosteollisuuden yhteistyö on hedelmällistä.
Alueellista taloudellista analyysia voidaan käyttää näyttöön perustuvassa päätöksenteossa ottaen huomioon suorat taloudelliset vaikutukset, jotka muodostuvat tunnistettavasta taloudellisesta hyödystä. Suorien vaikutusten olisi oltava malminetsintäyhtiöiden osuus taloudellisesta volyymista. Näiden lisäksi on perusteltua pohtia kumulatiivisia vaikutuksia, jotka luovat edellytykset infrastruktuurin
rakentamiselle tai luovat mahdollisuuksia aivan eri alalla. Suorat vaikutukset aluetalouteen ovat maanomistajille kohdentuvat luvitukseen liittyvät korvaukset, ostot, työvoimapalkat, verotulot sekä
majoitus- ja ylläpitomaksut. Kumulatiiviset vaikutukset vaikuttavat infrastruktuurin rakentumisen edellytyksiin, ja infografiikkatiedoista johdetut kertoimet muodostuvat niiden taloudellisen arvon
määrittämisen.
Malminetsinnän aluetaloudellisiin vaikutuksiin sisältyy arvioita sen suorista ja epäsuorista vaikutuksista. Epäsuorissa vaikutuksissa kyse on esimerkiksi hankinta-arvoina tai tuotantokustannuksina ja
näkökulman muodostamisesta, missä ajassa sen hyödyt ja haitat tulisi arvioida.
Itä-Lapissa malminetsinnässä on tällä hetkellä kyse suorien aluetaloudellisten vaikutusten osalta lähtökohtaisesti vuositasolla tarkasteltuna pienen taloudellisen volyymin toiminnasta, mutta malminetsintähankkeet voivat muodostua pitkäkestoisiksi tai alueeseen voi kohdistua useiden yritysten hankkeita, jolloin hankkeiden aluetalouden vaikutukset ovat merkittävämpiä. Pienetkin muutokset
suorissa vaikutuksissa voivat saada aikaan epäsuoria vaikutuksia taloudellisessa toiminnassa, mutta intressiryhmillä on erilaisia näkemyksiä siitä, miten epäsuoria vaikutuksia tulisi ottaa huomioon. On
myös tahoja, jotka katsovat, että malminetsintä vaikeuttaa muiden elinkeinojen toimintaa tai vaikutukset ympäristölle ovat epäedullisia. Heidän asiantuntemuksensa ja tiedonhankintansa on myös
resurssi, joka voidaan kohdentaa alalle. Paikallisesti muutoksenhakuprosesseilla ja niihin liittyvillä oikeusprosesseilla voi olla vahva rooli prosessien asiantuntemuksessa ja oikeudellisten palvelujen
ylläpidossa. Oleellista on tunnistaa, määrittää ja arvioida malminetsinnän suorien ja epäsuorien taloudellisten
toimintojen merkitys aluetaloudelle. Näin määritettynä voidaan tuottaa tietoa eri toimijoille siitä, miten heidän arvostustensa perusteella malminetsinnän aluetaloudellinen vaikutus rakentuu ja mikä
on sen aiheuttama taloudellinen volyymi.
Kasautuvien taloudellisten vaikutusten osalta on välttämätöntä tunnistaa keskeiset toimijat, toiminnot ja niiden tuottamat positiiviset ja negatiiviset vaikutukset. Kun palveluyritykset käyttävät paikallisia
palveluita, tekevät ostoksia tai harjoittavat alihankintaa, suorien vaikutusten lisäksi voidaan osoittaa myös kasautuvia taloudellisia vaikutuksia. Nämä voivat olla esimerkiksi investointeja, joita ei syntyisi
ilman alihankintasopimuksia. Jos yrityksiä perustetaan palveluita varten, sillä on sekä kasautuvia taloudellisia että yhteiskunnallisia vaikutuksia. Uuden yrityksen perustaminen on kuitenkin harvinaista, ja yleensä kyse on yritysten laajentumisesta tai monipuolistumisesta.
Tarkasteluvuonna 2020 suuri osa malminetsintäluvista sijoittui Posion alueelle. Laajin yksittäinen lupa oli kuitenkin Sallan ja Savukosken alueella, ja se kattoi noin kolmasosan kaikista vuonna 2020 ItäLapissa voimassa olleiden malminetsintäalueiden pinta-alasta. Voimassa olleiden malminetsintälupien kokonaispinta-ala oli yli 18 000 hehtaaria. Investoinnit, liikenteen järjestäminen ja malminetsinnän
tutkittu ja arkistoitu tietopohja tuovat edellytyksiä malminetsinnän toteutuksille. Myös säädöspohja on todettu sekä malminetsintää rajaavaksi että mahdollisuuksia avaavaksi tekijäksi. Julkisrahoitteiset
palvelut kuten kaavoitus, koulutus ja terveydenhuolto tuovat malminetsinnälle edellytyksiä. Prosessitekijöillä on suora yhteys malminetsinnän toteutukseen. Näitä ovat eri työvaiheiden kokemusta
ja taitoa omaavan työvoiman saanti sekä työmaiden saatavilla olevat palvelut, kuten elintarvike- ja rautakaupat sekä huolto- ja majoituspalvelut.
Arvioimme malminetsinnän aluetaloudellisten suorien vaikutusten Itä-Lapissa referenssivuonna 2020 olleen 616 500 euroa. Määrä on oleellinen, jos tähän sisältyy pitkäkestoisia projekteja. Malminetsinnän
merkitys on aluetaloudelle myös välillinen, jolloin pitkäkestoiset projektit voivat tuottaa työpaikkoja ja uutta yritystoimintaa. Malminetsintävaiheen työt tarjoavat alueella toimiville yrityksille monenlaisia liiketoimintapotentiaaleja, ja etenkin pitkäkestoisissa projekteissa vaikutukset alueen elinkeinoelämälle voivat olla taloudellisesti merkittäviä. Malminetsintä luo yksinään harvoin uutta yritystoimintaa, mutta se tarjoaa mahdollisuuksia lisätuloille jo toimiville yrityksille. Oleellista alueen elinkeinoelämän palvelupotentiaalin kehittämisen kannalta on tunnistaa paikallisesti tarvittavat tukipalvelut, niiden saatavuus ja
saavutettavuus sekä laatuvaatimukset ja -odotukset. Toimialan paikallisesti tarvitsemat tukipalvelut löytyvätkin pääsääntöisesti Itä-Lapista jo muun kysynnän myötä. Useat itälappilaiset yritykset ovat jo
tehneet yhteistyötä malminetsintäyritysten kanssa, mutta selkeästi syvempää ymmärrystä toimialasta ja sen erityispiirteistä tarvitaan, jotta kohderyhmää pystytään palvelemaan kokonaisvaltaisemmin.
Malminetsintäyritykset hyödyntävät paikallisia ja alueellisia palveluntarjoajia mahdollisuuksien mukaan. Palveluntarjoajan valinnassa etenkin laatu ja vastuullisuus ovat tärkeitä tekijöitä tutkimuksen sosiaalisen toimiluvan kannalta, sillä tukipalveluita tarjoavan toimijan työn jälki rinnastetaan suoraan malminetsintäyrityksen toimintaan. Malminetsinnän sosiaalinen toimilupa kärsii herkästi, ja ympäristön sekä turvallisuuden huomioiminen ovat edellytys alalla toimiville palveluntarjoajille.
Palveluntarjoajien nykytilanteen kartoituksen myötä muodostettiin alueen erityispiirteet huomioon ottaen kehittämistoimia, joissa keskeisiksi teemoiksi nousivat ymmärrys toimialasta, osaamisen
kehittäminen, vähähiilisyys ja alueellinen verkostoituminen.
malminetsinnästä ja siihen liittyvistä kysymyksistä sekä selvittää Itä-Lapin malmipotentiaalia. Lisäksi arvioitiin malminetsinnän aluetaloudellisia vaikutuksia Itä-Lapissa sekä tunnistettiin ja selvitettiin
malminetsinnän tarjoamia mahdollisuuksia alueen elinkeinoelämälle.
Malminetsintä on toimintaa, jonka avulla pyritään paikantamaan uusia mineraalisia raaka-ainevaroja. Tämä on välttämätöntä esimerkiksi nykyisen elintason ylläpitämiseksi ja vihreän siirtymän
toteutuksessa. Samalla tämä työ tuottaa suuria määriä geologista tutkimustietoa maankamarasta.
Suomessa malminetsintää suorittavat pääosin ulkomaiset malminetsintä- ja kaivosyhtiöt. Suomen kaivoslakia ollaan uudistamassa, mutta tällä hetkellä malminetsintää voidaan suorittaa Turvallisuusja kemikaaliviraston (TUKES) myöntämien kaivoslakiin perustuvien lupien turvin (esim. varaus- ja malminetsintälupa). Etsintätyötä voidaan myös toteuttaa maanomistajan luvalla. Tällä hetkellä malminetsinnällistä aktiivisuutta on useiden kuntien alueella, mikä on osoitus alueen houkuttelevuudesta.
Malminetsintä alkaa usein tiedusteluluonteisella tutkimusvaiheella, joka suoritetaan pääosin kirjoituspöydän takaa. Tästä edetään luvitukseen sekä maastossa tapahtuviin tutkimuksiin, jotka pitävät
sisällään kallioperäkartoitusta, lohkare-etsintää, geofysiikan mittausta, geokemiallisia tutkimuksia ja usein myös syväkairausta.
Keskustelu malminetsinnästä ja kaivostoiminnasta on ollut aktiivista viime vuosina. Pääpaino on ollut etenkin toiminnan aiheuttamissa haitoissa muille elinkeinoille sekä ulkomaisten yhtiöiden toiminnassa
ja ympäristöön kohdistuvissa mahdollisissa vaikutuksissa. Osa näistä on eskaloitunut kiistoiksi, ja ne ovat synnyttäneet kansalaisliikkeitä. Itä-Lapissa merkittävin kiista liittyy Soklin projektiin. Toisena
painona vaakakupissa ovat malminetsinnän ja kaivostoiminnan tarjoamat työpaikat syrjäisille seuduille kuin myös kiistaton tarve mineraalisille raaka-ainevaroille, joiden etsintä ja hyödyntäminen
ovat globaaleja kysymyksiä.
Itä-Lapin kallioperä edustaa kattavaa leikkausta Pohjois-Suomen geologisesta historiasta. Alueen vanhimmat kivilajit ovat 3 500 miljoonan vuoden ikäisiä, mutta nuorimmat kivilajit ovat vain 365
miljoonaa vuotta vanhoja. Pitkä geologinen aika mahdollistaa sen, että Itä-Lapin kallioperä on potentiaalinen erilaisissa geologisissa prosesseissa syntyneiden malmi- ja mineraaliesiintymien olemassaololle (esim. Ni-Cu-Co-PGE ja Ti-V-Fe-Cr, Au-Cu-Co, Au ja Fe-Cu-Au malmit). GTK:n geologisen tuntemuksen, löytymättömien mineraalivarojen arvioinnin ja myös prospektiivisuusmallinnuksen
perusteella alue omaa selkeää mineraalipotentiaalia. Löytymättömät mineraalivarat ovat hypoteettisia ja spekulatiivisia, mutta niiden arvio perustuu asiantuntija-arvioon sekä olemassa olevaan tietoon
ja näiden yhdistämiseen. Prospektiivisuusmallinnus puolestaan perustuu moninaisen geologisen paikkatietoaineiston yhdistämiseen metallikohtaisiksi prospektiivisuusmalleiksi.
Malminetsintä on aluetalouden perinteistä päätöksentekoa haastava teema, sillä malmipotentiaali ei noudata hallinnollisia rajoja ja kiinnostus myös yhteiskunnan eri sektoreiden raja-aitoja. Siksi tutkijoiden, paikallishallinnon edustajien ja kaivosteollisuuden yhteistyö on hedelmällistä.
Alueellista taloudellista analyysia voidaan käyttää näyttöön perustuvassa päätöksenteossa ottaen huomioon suorat taloudelliset vaikutukset, jotka muodostuvat tunnistettavasta taloudellisesta hyödystä. Suorien vaikutusten olisi oltava malminetsintäyhtiöiden osuus taloudellisesta volyymista. Näiden lisäksi on perusteltua pohtia kumulatiivisia vaikutuksia, jotka luovat edellytykset infrastruktuurin
rakentamiselle tai luovat mahdollisuuksia aivan eri alalla. Suorat vaikutukset aluetalouteen ovat maanomistajille kohdentuvat luvitukseen liittyvät korvaukset, ostot, työvoimapalkat, verotulot sekä
majoitus- ja ylläpitomaksut. Kumulatiiviset vaikutukset vaikuttavat infrastruktuurin rakentumisen edellytyksiin, ja infografiikkatiedoista johdetut kertoimet muodostuvat niiden taloudellisen arvon
määrittämisen.
Malminetsinnän aluetaloudellisiin vaikutuksiin sisältyy arvioita sen suorista ja epäsuorista vaikutuksista. Epäsuorissa vaikutuksissa kyse on esimerkiksi hankinta-arvoina tai tuotantokustannuksina ja
näkökulman muodostamisesta, missä ajassa sen hyödyt ja haitat tulisi arvioida.
Itä-Lapissa malminetsinnässä on tällä hetkellä kyse suorien aluetaloudellisten vaikutusten osalta lähtökohtaisesti vuositasolla tarkasteltuna pienen taloudellisen volyymin toiminnasta, mutta malminetsintähankkeet voivat muodostua pitkäkestoisiksi tai alueeseen voi kohdistua useiden yritysten hankkeita, jolloin hankkeiden aluetalouden vaikutukset ovat merkittävämpiä. Pienetkin muutokset
suorissa vaikutuksissa voivat saada aikaan epäsuoria vaikutuksia taloudellisessa toiminnassa, mutta intressiryhmillä on erilaisia näkemyksiä siitä, miten epäsuoria vaikutuksia tulisi ottaa huomioon. On
myös tahoja, jotka katsovat, että malminetsintä vaikeuttaa muiden elinkeinojen toimintaa tai vaikutukset ympäristölle ovat epäedullisia. Heidän asiantuntemuksensa ja tiedonhankintansa on myös
resurssi, joka voidaan kohdentaa alalle. Paikallisesti muutoksenhakuprosesseilla ja niihin liittyvillä oikeusprosesseilla voi olla vahva rooli prosessien asiantuntemuksessa ja oikeudellisten palvelujen
ylläpidossa. Oleellista on tunnistaa, määrittää ja arvioida malminetsinnän suorien ja epäsuorien taloudellisten
toimintojen merkitys aluetaloudelle. Näin määritettynä voidaan tuottaa tietoa eri toimijoille siitä, miten heidän arvostustensa perusteella malminetsinnän aluetaloudellinen vaikutus rakentuu ja mikä
on sen aiheuttama taloudellinen volyymi.
Kasautuvien taloudellisten vaikutusten osalta on välttämätöntä tunnistaa keskeiset toimijat, toiminnot ja niiden tuottamat positiiviset ja negatiiviset vaikutukset. Kun palveluyritykset käyttävät paikallisia
palveluita, tekevät ostoksia tai harjoittavat alihankintaa, suorien vaikutusten lisäksi voidaan osoittaa myös kasautuvia taloudellisia vaikutuksia. Nämä voivat olla esimerkiksi investointeja, joita ei syntyisi
ilman alihankintasopimuksia. Jos yrityksiä perustetaan palveluita varten, sillä on sekä kasautuvia taloudellisia että yhteiskunnallisia vaikutuksia. Uuden yrityksen perustaminen on kuitenkin harvinaista, ja yleensä kyse on yritysten laajentumisesta tai monipuolistumisesta.
Tarkasteluvuonna 2020 suuri osa malminetsintäluvista sijoittui Posion alueelle. Laajin yksittäinen lupa oli kuitenkin Sallan ja Savukosken alueella, ja se kattoi noin kolmasosan kaikista vuonna 2020 ItäLapissa voimassa olleiden malminetsintäalueiden pinta-alasta. Voimassa olleiden malminetsintälupien kokonaispinta-ala oli yli 18 000 hehtaaria. Investoinnit, liikenteen järjestäminen ja malminetsinnän
tutkittu ja arkistoitu tietopohja tuovat edellytyksiä malminetsinnän toteutuksille. Myös säädöspohja on todettu sekä malminetsintää rajaavaksi että mahdollisuuksia avaavaksi tekijäksi. Julkisrahoitteiset
palvelut kuten kaavoitus, koulutus ja terveydenhuolto tuovat malminetsinnälle edellytyksiä. Prosessitekijöillä on suora yhteys malminetsinnän toteutukseen. Näitä ovat eri työvaiheiden kokemusta
ja taitoa omaavan työvoiman saanti sekä työmaiden saatavilla olevat palvelut, kuten elintarvike- ja rautakaupat sekä huolto- ja majoituspalvelut.
Arvioimme malminetsinnän aluetaloudellisten suorien vaikutusten Itä-Lapissa referenssivuonna 2020 olleen 616 500 euroa. Määrä on oleellinen, jos tähän sisältyy pitkäkestoisia projekteja. Malminetsinnän
merkitys on aluetaloudelle myös välillinen, jolloin pitkäkestoiset projektit voivat tuottaa työpaikkoja ja uutta yritystoimintaa. Malminetsintävaiheen työt tarjoavat alueella toimiville yrityksille monenlaisia liiketoimintapotentiaaleja, ja etenkin pitkäkestoisissa projekteissa vaikutukset alueen elinkeinoelämälle voivat olla taloudellisesti merkittäviä. Malminetsintä luo yksinään harvoin uutta yritystoimintaa, mutta se tarjoaa mahdollisuuksia lisätuloille jo toimiville yrityksille. Oleellista alueen elinkeinoelämän palvelupotentiaalin kehittämisen kannalta on tunnistaa paikallisesti tarvittavat tukipalvelut, niiden saatavuus ja
saavutettavuus sekä laatuvaatimukset ja -odotukset. Toimialan paikallisesti tarvitsemat tukipalvelut löytyvätkin pääsääntöisesti Itä-Lapista jo muun kysynnän myötä. Useat itälappilaiset yritykset ovat jo
tehneet yhteistyötä malminetsintäyritysten kanssa, mutta selkeästi syvempää ymmärrystä toimialasta ja sen erityispiirteistä tarvitaan, jotta kohderyhmää pystytään palvelemaan kokonaisvaltaisemmin.
Malminetsintäyritykset hyödyntävät paikallisia ja alueellisia palveluntarjoajia mahdollisuuksien mukaan. Palveluntarjoajan valinnassa etenkin laatu ja vastuullisuus ovat tärkeitä tekijöitä tutkimuksen sosiaalisen toimiluvan kannalta, sillä tukipalveluita tarjoavan toimijan työn jälki rinnastetaan suoraan malminetsintäyrityksen toimintaan. Malminetsinnän sosiaalinen toimilupa kärsii herkästi, ja ympäristön sekä turvallisuuden huomioiminen ovat edellytys alalla toimiville palveluntarjoajille.
Palveluntarjoajien nykytilanteen kartoituksen myötä muodostettiin alueen erityispiirteet huomioon ottaen kehittämistoimia, joissa keskeisiksi teemoiksi nousivat ymmärrys toimialasta, osaamisen
kehittäminen, vähähiilisyys ja alueellinen verkostoituminen.
Research Interests:
Malminetsintäopas kokoaa yhteen alan hyvät käytännöt sekä lainsäädännön vaikutukset etsintään. Malminetsintäopas antaa hyödyllistä tietoa yritysten lisäksi kaikille malminetsinnän sidosryhmille kuten viranomaisille, medialle ja aiheesta... more
Malminetsintäopas kokoaa yhteen alan hyvät käytännöt sekä lainsäädännön vaikutukset etsintään. Malminetsintäopas antaa hyödyllistä tietoa yritysten lisäksi kaikille malminetsinnän sidosryhmille kuten viranomaisille, medialle ja aiheesta kiinnostuneelle kansalaiselle.
Research Interests:
Raportti käsittelee digitalisaatiossa tarvittavia mineraaliluonnonvaroja. Digitaalisten sovellusten ja digitaalisten laitteiden käyttö lisääntyy jatkuvasti, ja yhä uutta tietoa muunnetaan digitaaliseen muotoon. Aiempi tutkimus... more
Raportti käsittelee digitalisaatiossa tarvittavia mineraaliluonnonvaroja. Digitaalisten sovellusten ja digitaalisten laitteiden käyttö lisääntyy jatkuvasti, ja yhä uutta tietoa muunnetaan digitaaliseen muotoon. Aiempi tutkimus digitalisaatiosta vastuullisuuden näkökulmasta on painottunut energiankulutukseen ja päästöihin. Koska ICT-laitteiden kysyntä useissa
nyky-yhteiskunnan käyttökohteissa kuitenkin kasvaa jatkuvasti, digitaalisten laitteiden raaka-ainevaatimuksista on tullut vastuullisuuden kannalta ratkaiseva kysymys. Siksi tässä raportissa syvennytäänkin digitalisaation raaka-ainekulutukseen. Keskitymme seuraaviin
haasteisiin ja aiheisiin:
• Digitalisaation raaka-aineiden lähteet, tuotanto, saatavuus ja vastuullisuus
• ICT-sektorin raaka-aineiden kulutus, painopisteenä valikoidut keskeiset loppukäyttäjä-
laitteet: älypuhelin ja älytelevisio
• Keskeiset näkökulmat ICT-alan arvoketjuun
• Keskeiset näkökulmat ICT-alan kuluttajiin ja loppukäyttäjiin
• Mahdolliset ratkaisut, joilla digitaalisten laitteiden vastuullisuutta voidaan tukea niiden
elinkaaren aikana
• Keskeiset poliittiset näkökulmat sekä suositukset
nyky-yhteiskunnan käyttökohteissa kuitenkin kasvaa jatkuvasti, digitaalisten laitteiden raaka-ainevaatimuksista on tullut vastuullisuuden kannalta ratkaiseva kysymys. Siksi tässä raportissa syvennytäänkin digitalisaation raaka-ainekulutukseen. Keskitymme seuraaviin
haasteisiin ja aiheisiin:
• Digitalisaation raaka-aineiden lähteet, tuotanto, saatavuus ja vastuullisuus
• ICT-sektorin raaka-aineiden kulutus, painopisteenä valikoidut keskeiset loppukäyttäjä-
laitteet: älypuhelin ja älytelevisio
• Keskeiset näkökulmat ICT-alan arvoketjuun
• Keskeiset näkökulmat ICT-alan kuluttajiin ja loppukäyttäjiin
• Mahdolliset ratkaisut, joilla digitaalisten laitteiden vastuullisuutta voidaan tukea niiden
elinkaaren aikana
• Keskeiset poliittiset näkökulmat sekä suositukset
Research Interests:
The report focuses on the mineral natural resources needed for digitalization. The use of digital applications and digital devices continues to grow and increasing amounts of information are being converted into a digital format. Prior... more
The report focuses on the mineral natural resources needed for digitalization. The use of digital applications and digital devices continues to grow and increasing amounts of information are being converted into a digital format. Prior research on digitalization in the context of sustainability has focused mainly on energy consumption and emissions. However, with the increasing demand for ICT hardware in numerous applications in modern society, the raw materials requirement of digital devices has become a crucial sustainability issue. Therefore,
this report delves deeper into the topic of the raw materials consumption of digitalization.
We focus on the following challenges and topics:
• Sources, production, availability and sustainability of digitalization raw materials
• ICT sector’s raw materials consumption, with a specific focus on selected key
end-user devices: smartphones and smart TVs
• Key aspects of the ICT value chain
• Key ICT consumer and end-user aspects
• Possible solutions to support the sustainability of digital devices throughout their life cycle
• Key policy aspects and recommendations
this report delves deeper into the topic of the raw materials consumption of digitalization.
We focus on the following challenges and topics:
• Sources, production, availability and sustainability of digitalization raw materials
• ICT sector’s raw materials consumption, with a specific focus on selected key
end-user devices: smartphones and smart TVs
• Key aspects of the ICT value chain
• Key ICT consumer and end-user aspects
• Possible solutions to support the sustainability of digital devices throughout their life cycle
• Key policy aspects and recommendations
Research Interests:
The chapter describes recent and ongoing mining and mineral exploration dispute cases in Finland.
Research Interests:
Euroopan aluekehitysrahaston rahoittama Lapin kaivoskeskittymän kumulatiivisten ympäristövaikutusten arviointi ja hallinta (Lapin Kaiku) -hanke käsitteli alkuaineiden alueellista esiintymistä Lapin maakunnan alueella moreenissa sekä... more
Euroopan aluekehitysrahaston rahoittama Lapin kaivoskeskittymän kumulatiivisten ympäristövaikutusten arviointi ja hallinta (Lapin Kaiku) -hanke käsitteli alkuaineiden alueellista esiintymistä Lapin maakunnan alueella moreenissa sekä pinta- ja pohjavesissä. Tämä on Lapin Kaiku -hankkeen erillisraportti, joka käsittelee uraanin, toriumin ja kaliumin esiintymistä, siihen liittyvää maankäyttöä Lapissa ja geofysiikan käyttöä ympäristötutkimuksissa. Uraanin esiintymistä Lapin maaperässä käsiteltiin geokemiallisen moreeniaineiston perusteella (kuningasvesiliuotus, raekoko <2 mm, näyte C-horisontista). Aineisto käsiteltiin ArcGISpaikkatieto-ohjelmalla moreenin uraanipitoisuuksien kartoittamiseksi. Tuloksia analysoitiin Lapin kallioperän suurrakenteiden mukaisesti. Lapin uraanin esiintymistä, esiintymiä ja etsintää käsiteltiin myös erilaisten maankäyttömuotojen (luonnonsuojelu, matkailu ja poronhoito) valossa erityisesti Länsi-Lapin ja Soklin suhteen. Merkittävässä roolissa uraanin ja maankäytön suhteen on Kolari-Kittilän uraaniprovinssi, joka kuuluu myös Länsi-Lapin rautaoksidi-kuparikulta-esiintymätyypin vyöhykkeeseen. Vaikka uraania ei luultavasti alueella tulla lähitulevaisuudessa etsimään tai hyödyntämään, alueen muut mahdolliset kaivannaiset houkuttelevat malminetsintään ja mahdolliseen kaivostoimintaan. Kolari-Kittilän alue on kuitenkin suurelta osin luonnonsuojelu-, matkailu- ja poronhoitoaluetta, mikä aiheuttaa haasteita malminetsinnälle ja kaivostoiminnalle ja eri intressien yhteensovittamiselle. Dialogi eri toimijoiden kanssa on tällöin tarpeen.
Raportissa esitetään myös uraanin, toriumin ja kaliumin pitoisuus Lapissa Geologian tutkimuskeskuksen lentomittausten mukaan. Radiometrisessä mittauksessa mitataan maan luonnollista radioaktiivista säteilyä, jonka avulla saadaan määriteltyä em. alkuaineiden pitoisuus maan pintaosassa n. 0-30 sentin syvyydellä. Radiometristä mittausta käytetään mm. soiden ja lumen vesipitoisuuden määrittämi-sessä, malminetsinnässä ja geologisen kartoituksen apuna. Raportti sisältää Lapin radiometriset kartat eli uraanin, kaliumin ja toriumin pitoisuuskartat, kokonaissäteilyn ja kaksi pitoisuuksien suhteita esittävää karttaa. Esimerkiksi Keski-Lapin granitoidikompleksi ja Sokli erottuvat kartoista. Geofysiikkaa käytetään ympäristötutkimuksissa esimerkiksi pohjavesialueiden kartoitukseen ja mallinnukseen, kaivosaltaiden ja muiden patojen pitävyyden tutkimiseen, saasteiden leviämisen havaitsemiseen ja räjähtämättömien ammusten etsintään erityisesti vesialueille rakennettaessa. Tyypillisiä geofysiikan avulla selvitettäviä asioita ympäristötutkimuksissa ovat esimerkiksi maapeitteen paksuus, peruskallion rikkonaisuus ja maan sähkönjohtavuus, joka liittyy mm. veteen ja siihen mahdollisesti liuenneisiin kemikaaleihin. Raportissa käydään läpi geofysiikan tutkimusmenetelmiä ja niiden käyttöä ympäristötutkimuksissa.
Raportissa esitetään myös uraanin, toriumin ja kaliumin pitoisuus Lapissa Geologian tutkimuskeskuksen lentomittausten mukaan. Radiometrisessä mittauksessa mitataan maan luonnollista radioaktiivista säteilyä, jonka avulla saadaan määriteltyä em. alkuaineiden pitoisuus maan pintaosassa n. 0-30 sentin syvyydellä. Radiometristä mittausta käytetään mm. soiden ja lumen vesipitoisuuden määrittämi-sessä, malminetsinnässä ja geologisen kartoituksen apuna. Raportti sisältää Lapin radiometriset kartat eli uraanin, kaliumin ja toriumin pitoisuuskartat, kokonaissäteilyn ja kaksi pitoisuuksien suhteita esittävää karttaa. Esimerkiksi Keski-Lapin granitoidikompleksi ja Sokli erottuvat kartoista. Geofysiikkaa käytetään ympäristötutkimuksissa esimerkiksi pohjavesialueiden kartoitukseen ja mallinnukseen, kaivosaltaiden ja muiden patojen pitävyyden tutkimiseen, saasteiden leviämisen havaitsemiseen ja räjähtämättömien ammusten etsintään erityisesti vesialueille rakennettaessa. Tyypillisiä geofysiikan avulla selvitettäviä asioita ympäristötutkimuksissa ovat esimerkiksi maapeitteen paksuus, peruskallion rikkonaisuus ja maan sähkönjohtavuus, joka liittyy mm. veteen ja siihen mahdollisesti liuenneisiin kemikaaleihin. Raportissa käydään läpi geofysiikan tutkimusmenetelmiä ja niiden käyttöä ympäristötutkimuksissa.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Artikkeli kuvailee Leppävaaraan suunnitellun luontopolun.
Research Interests:
3rd Finnish National Colloquium of Geosciences, Espoo, 15–16 March 2017 The recently held Finnish National Colloquium of Geosciences was the third colloquium organized by the university geoscience departments in collaboration with... more
3rd Finnish National Colloquium of Geosciences, Espoo, 15–16 March 2017
The recently held Finnish National Colloquium of Geosciences was the third colloquium organized by the university geoscience departments in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK). Since 2001, the Finnish Graduate
School in Geology has been a nationwide post-graduate programme based on close co-operation between all universities training geologists in Finland. An important activity has been the annual geological colloquiums (tutkijapäivät
in Finnish), which have been organized for the last 17 years. In order to maintain and further develop cooperation within the Finnish geoscience community, it was decided that the tradition of the annual seminars will be continued by the Third
Finnish National Colloquium of Geosciences on 15–16 March 2017 at the GTK in Otaniemi, Espoo. The Colloquium provided an opportunity to present the results of current scientific research and innovation projects in geosciences. Contributions
from doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers were particularly encouraged.
Both oral and poster presentations on all sub-disciplines of geosciences were invited to be submitted to the Colloquium. The language of the abstracts and presentations was English. The focus areas of the 2017 Colloquium were economic and bedrock geology, marine geology and global change, geochemistry, geophysics, environmental geology, physical geography and sedimentology.
Young scientists, guided by their professors and teachers, were in a key role, presenting their PhD projects, and new research themes and results from
postdoctoral research. Senior scientists introduced new research methods and innovations. Among the recent new results, discoveries of orogenic gold from Central Lapland, flake graphite from Southern Savo and a massive sulphide
mineralization at Sakatti, Sodankylä, were described. The presentations covered geology and geography from the Precambrian supercontinents to the depth of the Fennoscandian plate and the deep breath of life, the deep exploration of ores
and the present carbon flux in the tundra. New methods in remote sensing to be adapted for various geological and geographical applications were shown. New laser-induced analytical methods, isotope geochemistry and leaching tests for metals
were elucidated. Sedimentological studies from China and new findings relevant to the Pleistocene stratigraphy and the last glacial cycle were described. Holocene climate change, marine geological changes and the developments in the
Baltic Sea were reported. Environmental challenges and the study of acid sulphate soils were presented in several papers.
The Colloquium’s Abstract book (Hölttä et al. 2017: http://tupa.gtk.fi/julkaisu/opas/op_063.pdf) contains 61 abstracts, of which 31 were oral presentations and 30 presented as posters within the 8 sessions of the Colloquium. The 9th session was a panel discussion on geosciences and
employment, and careers in the future society and industry.
The spectrum of geoscientific topics and their practical applications is promising, as in principle, geology and geography are applied sciences. Therefore, the future perspectives of the Finnish geological research and its applications are
optimistic.
The recently held Finnish National Colloquium of Geosciences was the third colloquium organized by the university geoscience departments in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK). Since 2001, the Finnish Graduate
School in Geology has been a nationwide post-graduate programme based on close co-operation between all universities training geologists in Finland. An important activity has been the annual geological colloquiums (tutkijapäivät
in Finnish), which have been organized for the last 17 years. In order to maintain and further develop cooperation within the Finnish geoscience community, it was decided that the tradition of the annual seminars will be continued by the Third
Finnish National Colloquium of Geosciences on 15–16 March 2017 at the GTK in Otaniemi, Espoo. The Colloquium provided an opportunity to present the results of current scientific research and innovation projects in geosciences. Contributions
from doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers were particularly encouraged.
Both oral and poster presentations on all sub-disciplines of geosciences were invited to be submitted to the Colloquium. The language of the abstracts and presentations was English. The focus areas of the 2017 Colloquium were economic and bedrock geology, marine geology and global change, geochemistry, geophysics, environmental geology, physical geography and sedimentology.
Young scientists, guided by their professors and teachers, were in a key role, presenting their PhD projects, and new research themes and results from
postdoctoral research. Senior scientists introduced new research methods and innovations. Among the recent new results, discoveries of orogenic gold from Central Lapland, flake graphite from Southern Savo and a massive sulphide
mineralization at Sakatti, Sodankylä, were described. The presentations covered geology and geography from the Precambrian supercontinents to the depth of the Fennoscandian plate and the deep breath of life, the deep exploration of ores
and the present carbon flux in the tundra. New methods in remote sensing to be adapted for various geological and geographical applications were shown. New laser-induced analytical methods, isotope geochemistry and leaching tests for metals
were elucidated. Sedimentological studies from China and new findings relevant to the Pleistocene stratigraphy and the last glacial cycle were described. Holocene climate change, marine geological changes and the developments in the
Baltic Sea were reported. Environmental challenges and the study of acid sulphate soils were presented in several papers.
The Colloquium’s Abstract book (Hölttä et al. 2017: http://tupa.gtk.fi/julkaisu/opas/op_063.pdf) contains 61 abstracts, of which 31 were oral presentations and 30 presented as posters within the 8 sessions of the Colloquium. The 9th session was a panel discussion on geosciences and
employment, and careers in the future society and industry.
The spectrum of geoscientific topics and their practical applications is promising, as in principle, geology and geography are applied sciences. Therefore, the future perspectives of the Finnish geological research and its applications are
optimistic.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Stakeholder engagement practiced by the Geological Survey of Finland in its mineral potential mapping in Southern Finland A good company-community relationship is important in earning a social license to operate (SLO) in mining. In this... more
Stakeholder engagement practiced by the Geological Survey of Finland in its mineral potential mapping in Southern Finland
A good company-community relationship is important in earning a social license to operate (SLO) in mining. In this sense, it is crucial and a part of the social corporate responsibility (CSR) to start communication and stakeholder engagement already at the very beginning of mineral
exploration. Here we present a methodology of stakeholder engagement that has been used by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) in mineral potential mapping in Southern Finland.
The stakeholder groups of local communities that are taken into account by the GTK’s stakeholder engagement in Southern Finland are local landowners, residents, media, schools and the
municipality representatives. Direct contacts in the field, press releases, and conferences, as well as open and public meetings and lectures are the approaches to engage with these groups. Before the start of the activities, leaflets informing about the upcoming field work and associated contact information are
delivered to local mailboxes. The stakeholder engagement is performed by geologists working at the region. It has been
practiced and developed since the early 2000s. So far the stakeholder engagement has not been a systematic or standardized activity, but largely a polite and respectful approach towards the local communities. However, since the new mining act requires informing the landowners, and because public resistance towards mining activities is
growing in Finland, such approaches and methodologies should be surveyed, developed, systematized and standardized while updating the GTK’s mineral potential mapping strategy. This should be made by reflecting the local conditions and stakeholder groups in different regions.
Several ongoing social science projects that study, develop, and promote CSR of mining offer possibilities for cross-disciplinary cooperation between geologists and sociologists. Cooperation could involve studying the impact of GTK’s
stakeholder engagement in order to receive feedback for developing and improving the social performance of field activities. Nevertheless, the GTK’s stakeholder engagement has until now been a very productive and effective activity in Southern Finland, resulting in SLO.
A good company-community relationship is important in earning a social license to operate (SLO) in mining. In this sense, it is crucial and a part of the social corporate responsibility (CSR) to start communication and stakeholder engagement already at the very beginning of mineral
exploration. Here we present a methodology of stakeholder engagement that has been used by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) in mineral potential mapping in Southern Finland.
The stakeholder groups of local communities that are taken into account by the GTK’s stakeholder engagement in Southern Finland are local landowners, residents, media, schools and the
municipality representatives. Direct contacts in the field, press releases, and conferences, as well as open and public meetings and lectures are the approaches to engage with these groups. Before the start of the activities, leaflets informing about the upcoming field work and associated contact information are
delivered to local mailboxes. The stakeholder engagement is performed by geologists working at the region. It has been
practiced and developed since the early 2000s. So far the stakeholder engagement has not been a systematic or standardized activity, but largely a polite and respectful approach towards the local communities. However, since the new mining act requires informing the landowners, and because public resistance towards mining activities is
growing in Finland, such approaches and methodologies should be surveyed, developed, systematized and standardized while updating the GTK’s mineral potential mapping strategy. This should be made by reflecting the local conditions and stakeholder groups in different regions.
Several ongoing social science projects that study, develop, and promote CSR of mining offer possibilities for cross-disciplinary cooperation between geologists and sociologists. Cooperation could involve studying the impact of GTK’s
stakeholder engagement in order to receive feedback for developing and improving the social performance of field activities. Nevertheless, the GTK’s stakeholder engagement has until now been a very productive and effective activity in Southern Finland, resulting in SLO.
Research Interests:
A survey on mineral exploration company websites and sustainability reporting and strategies in Finland: Preliminary results This short review provides the preliminary results of a survey on the websites and sustainability reporting of... more
A survey on mineral exploration company websites and sustainability reporting and strategies in Finland: Preliminary results
This short review provides the preliminary results of a survey on the websites and sustainability reporting of 51 mineral
exploration companies with applied or valid claims and claim reservations in Finland, listed by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes). Both foreign and domestic industrial and metallic mineral exploration companies
were considered in the survey.
Most of the company websites are written in English, based abroad and mainly focused on international investors. There are short descriptions of the companies’ projects in Finland,
focusing on geology, mineralization and its exploration, with nice pictures of nature, winter and landscapes. Only few of the
websites are written in Finnish. Complete sustainability disclosure according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is found on the websites of the major foreign and Finnish
companies, whereas the minor ones may not even have their own website at all, or this information may only be provided by the parent company. In some cases, only the company’s contact information is provided on the website. Some large and small companies have their websites in both Finnish and English. Small companies do not present sustainability reporting at all if they are not listed on the stock market. Some of the websites may only provide sparse, generalized and positive comments on the company’s values and its
community relations. When found, the stakeholder engagement activities that are described, generally consist of regular meetings with communities, hiring of local people and
purchasing of local goods and services as much as possible, sponsorship of local sports and cultural associations and events, as well as the offering of scholarships for local students to study geology or mining engineering in universities.
The existence of a website written in Finnish is recommended by the MiningAcademy’s model for stakeholder engagement
in mineral exploration. It is important to provide information on a company and its operations in the form of transparent
communication and public relations, complementing the proactive encounters with the local stakeholder groups that already occur at the reconnaissance stage. For instance, the
lack of a website, as in the case of some of the analyzed companies here, causes mistrust, which is not appropriate for construction of a good company-community relationship.
This short review provides the preliminary results of a survey on the websites and sustainability reporting of 51 mineral
exploration companies with applied or valid claims and claim reservations in Finland, listed by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes). Both foreign and domestic industrial and metallic mineral exploration companies
were considered in the survey.
Most of the company websites are written in English, based abroad and mainly focused on international investors. There are short descriptions of the companies’ projects in Finland,
focusing on geology, mineralization and its exploration, with nice pictures of nature, winter and landscapes. Only few of the
websites are written in Finnish. Complete sustainability disclosure according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is found on the websites of the major foreign and Finnish
companies, whereas the minor ones may not even have their own website at all, or this information may only be provided by the parent company. In some cases, only the company’s contact information is provided on the website. Some large and small companies have their websites in both Finnish and English. Small companies do not present sustainability reporting at all if they are not listed on the stock market. Some of the websites may only provide sparse, generalized and positive comments on the company’s values and its
community relations. When found, the stakeholder engagement activities that are described, generally consist of regular meetings with communities, hiring of local people and
purchasing of local goods and services as much as possible, sponsorship of local sports and cultural associations and events, as well as the offering of scholarships for local students to study geology or mining engineering in universities.
The existence of a website written in Finnish is recommended by the MiningAcademy’s model for stakeholder engagement
in mineral exploration. It is important to provide information on a company and its operations in the form of transparent
communication and public relations, complementing the proactive encounters with the local stakeholder groups that already occur at the reconnaissance stage. For instance, the
lack of a website, as in the case of some of the analyzed companies here, causes mistrust, which is not appropriate for construction of a good company-community relationship.
Research Interests:
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in mineral exploration Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a hot topic in the mineral industry at the moment, and the current mining boom in Fennoscandia has brought this discussion also to... more
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in mineral exploration
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a hot topic in the mineral industry at the moment, and the current mining boom
in Fennoscandia has brought this discussion also to Finland. Mineral exploration is an important stage in mining, but it has been little investigated regarding the CSR. Research has mainly
concentrated on developing countries, where conditions and problems are very different from industrialized countries such as Finland. This article adapts the discussion to local conditions in Finland, describes the social and environmental
impacts of mineral exploration, and discusses how companies should minimize them in order to achieve the social license to operate within the local communities. The stakeholder engagement emerges as the most important and critical issue to earn the local acceptance.
This paper is a contribution to the MiningAcademy, a project lead by the Geological Survey of Finland, which collects and disseminates the best practices of mining industry for the
companies operating in Finland, according with the CSR principles. The three year project was started at 2012 by the request of the Ministry of Employment and Economy of Finland.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a hot topic in the mineral industry at the moment, and the current mining boom
in Fennoscandia has brought this discussion also to Finland. Mineral exploration is an important stage in mining, but it has been little investigated regarding the CSR. Research has mainly
concentrated on developing countries, where conditions and problems are very different from industrialized countries such as Finland. This article adapts the discussion to local conditions in Finland, describes the social and environmental
impacts of mineral exploration, and discusses how companies should minimize them in order to achieve the social license to operate within the local communities. The stakeholder engagement emerges as the most important and critical issue to earn the local acceptance.
This paper is a contribution to the MiningAcademy, a project lead by the Geological Survey of Finland, which collects and disseminates the best practices of mining industry for the
companies operating in Finland, according with the CSR principles. The three year project was started at 2012 by the request of the Ministry of Employment and Economy of Finland.
Research Interests:
The MiningAcademy’s Seminar and Workshop on Responsible Mineral Exploration, 29–30.1.2013 at Oulu, Finland The MiningAcademy is one of the recent initiatives launched by the Ministry of Employment and Economy in order to improve the... more
The MiningAcademy’s Seminar and Workshop on Responsible
Mineral Exploration, 29–30.1.2013 at Oulu, Finland
The MiningAcademy is one of the recent initiatives launched by the Ministry of Employment and Economy in order
to improve the activities of the mining industry in Finland in a responsible way and to help it to earn the social license to operate in the country. It is led by the Geological Survey of
Finland, with participation of many authorities, and industry representatives. The Mining Academy looks for the best practices for the mining industry, according to the principles
of socially and environmentally sustainable development. It organizes seminars and workshops on corporate social responsibility issues of mining, covering the whole life-cycle
from mineral exploration to mine closing and after care. The project started in 2012 and will end in 2014.
The MiningAkacemy´s first seminar and workshop was organized at Oulu at the end of January this year. The theme was responsible mineral exploration. Over 60 invited representatives of mining companies, authorities, and stakeholder groups (entrepreneurs, media, reindeer grazers and landowners, among others) attended the event. Seminar and workshop was fruitful, and its spirit was cooperative and warm. Several issues were discussed, and the major lesson was that the mining industry should be more open, communicate more actively about its activities and establish contact with the local communities, NGOs, and the media in order to earn acceptance for its activities at the local level.
According to the survey made by the consultant Gaia Consulting Oy after the event, the majority of participants was satisfied with the event. There was a wish to have the next seminar already in the autumn of this year, dealing with the responsible mine construction.
The MiningAcademy’s web-page shows the presentations, conclusions and results of the survey (unfortunately only in Finnish): http://projects.gtk.fi/kaivosakatemia/
Mineral Exploration, 29–30.1.2013 at Oulu, Finland
The MiningAcademy is one of the recent initiatives launched by the Ministry of Employment and Economy in order
to improve the activities of the mining industry in Finland in a responsible way and to help it to earn the social license to operate in the country. It is led by the Geological Survey of
Finland, with participation of many authorities, and industry representatives. The Mining Academy looks for the best practices for the mining industry, according to the principles
of socially and environmentally sustainable development. It organizes seminars and workshops on corporate social responsibility issues of mining, covering the whole life-cycle
from mineral exploration to mine closing and after care. The project started in 2012 and will end in 2014.
The MiningAkacemy´s first seminar and workshop was organized at Oulu at the end of January this year. The theme was responsible mineral exploration. Over 60 invited representatives of mining companies, authorities, and stakeholder groups (entrepreneurs, media, reindeer grazers and landowners, among others) attended the event. Seminar and workshop was fruitful, and its spirit was cooperative and warm. Several issues were discussed, and the major lesson was that the mining industry should be more open, communicate more actively about its activities and establish contact with the local communities, NGOs, and the media in order to earn acceptance for its activities at the local level.
According to the survey made by the consultant Gaia Consulting Oy after the event, the majority of participants was satisfied with the event. There was a wish to have the next seminar already in the autumn of this year, dealing with the responsible mine construction.
The MiningAcademy’s web-page shows the presentations, conclusions and results of the survey (unfortunately only in Finnish): http://projects.gtk.fi/kaivosakatemia/
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Uranium exploration, non-governamental organizations, and local people. A new challenge for mining industry in Finland The global warming returned nuclear power in the agenda. Many countries, including Finland, are deciding to construct... more
Uranium exploration, non-governamental organizations, and local people. A new challenge for mining industry in Finland
The global warming returned nuclear power in the agenda. Many countries, including Finland, are deciding to construct more nuclear power plants. They will need uranium and its price has risen in the international market. There is a new uranium exploration boom going on.
Finland has several promising, but small uranium showings. It is a politically and economically stable country with good infrastructure and basic geodata, what attracted foreign companies to explore uranium all over the nation. However, this produced a strong campaign against it. When foreign companies came to Finland, and started to request claim reservations and claims, local people were not previously contacted and informed on such. When they got aware of them, the lack of information caused fear and local resistance. Local environmental activists and political leaders conducted this resistance to local, organized movements. Media started to follow them and gives much attention on uranium exploration, many times based on false information. Strong
anti-uranium movements formed in northern, eastern and southern, but not in central Finland. They formed a nation-wide coalition, strongly identified with the Green Party, and Finnish and international environmental non-governamental organizations (NGOs). They
received also adhesion of former anti-conservationist sectors, such as landowners, local politicians, and businessmen. The uranium exploration boom and strong movement against it surprised the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which found itself in a completely new situation, and with a controversial role on the issue. This has caused more confusion and misunderstanding both in the mining industry and NGOs. The Ministry has been criticized by both parts.
The weak public awareness on geology and mineral exploration is one of the causes for this situation. There is lot of confusion on what are uranium ore, a claim reservation, claim, and mine. They are all mixed, and there is a general belief that uranium exploration will automatically lead to a huge open pit uranium mine, that would destroy everything around it, causing radiation, and polluting groundwater. The movement wishes to stop exploration activities in their beginning, and does not know that only 1 of 1000 exploration campaigns can lead to a mine. However, terminology used by
mining industry and law is another problem. The term claim in Finnish (valtaus) means also occupation or conquest, and this gives a kind of militaristic meaning for this term.
How to deal with this situation? The key-word is openness. Local people should be contacted to inform them about the exploration activities, i.e., what geologists and the company intends to do in the region. Many times the local residents do not know that they live in a uranium-bearing area, and they should be informed about it. Radiation measurements around their houses have been acknowledged, tranquilizing them. After local residents, NGOs and municipality can be called for a discussion, opening a channel for dialogue. A local newspaper should be also informed, and an interview is recommended to be given. In all these contacts, information on geology and mining industry should be given. Companies can support local initiatives on eco/geotourism. Mineral exploration activities and claim applications should be avoided in densely populated and nature conservation areas. All this creates a good image for a company.
There is much expectation on the reform of the Mining Act, which would probably be a kind of compromise between the requirements presented by the industry and environmentalists. The Finnish term for claim should be changed for a more neutral. However, all these challenges can make Finland as an unattractive country for new mining investments.
The global warming returned nuclear power in the agenda. Many countries, including Finland, are deciding to construct more nuclear power plants. They will need uranium and its price has risen in the international market. There is a new uranium exploration boom going on.
Finland has several promising, but small uranium showings. It is a politically and economically stable country with good infrastructure and basic geodata, what attracted foreign companies to explore uranium all over the nation. However, this produced a strong campaign against it. When foreign companies came to Finland, and started to request claim reservations and claims, local people were not previously contacted and informed on such. When they got aware of them, the lack of information caused fear and local resistance. Local environmental activists and political leaders conducted this resistance to local, organized movements. Media started to follow them and gives much attention on uranium exploration, many times based on false information. Strong
anti-uranium movements formed in northern, eastern and southern, but not in central Finland. They formed a nation-wide coalition, strongly identified with the Green Party, and Finnish and international environmental non-governamental organizations (NGOs). They
received also adhesion of former anti-conservationist sectors, such as landowners, local politicians, and businessmen. The uranium exploration boom and strong movement against it surprised the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which found itself in a completely new situation, and with a controversial role on the issue. This has caused more confusion and misunderstanding both in the mining industry and NGOs. The Ministry has been criticized by both parts.
The weak public awareness on geology and mineral exploration is one of the causes for this situation. There is lot of confusion on what are uranium ore, a claim reservation, claim, and mine. They are all mixed, and there is a general belief that uranium exploration will automatically lead to a huge open pit uranium mine, that would destroy everything around it, causing radiation, and polluting groundwater. The movement wishes to stop exploration activities in their beginning, and does not know that only 1 of 1000 exploration campaigns can lead to a mine. However, terminology used by
mining industry and law is another problem. The term claim in Finnish (valtaus) means also occupation or conquest, and this gives a kind of militaristic meaning for this term.
How to deal with this situation? The key-word is openness. Local people should be contacted to inform them about the exploration activities, i.e., what geologists and the company intends to do in the region. Many times the local residents do not know that they live in a uranium-bearing area, and they should be informed about it. Radiation measurements around their houses have been acknowledged, tranquilizing them. After local residents, NGOs and municipality can be called for a discussion, opening a channel for dialogue. A local newspaper should be also informed, and an interview is recommended to be given. In all these contacts, information on geology and mining industry should be given. Companies can support local initiatives on eco/geotourism. Mineral exploration activities and claim applications should be avoided in densely populated and nature conservation areas. All this creates a good image for a company.
There is much expectation on the reform of the Mining Act, which would probably be a kind of compromise between the requirements presented by the industry and environmentalists. The Finnish term for claim should be changed for a more neutral. However, all these challenges can make Finland as an unattractive country for new mining investments.
Research Interests:
The use of radon survey in uranium exploration at Kouvervaara, Kuusamo, NE Finland Kouvervaara at Kuusamo, NE Finland is one of the most promising uranium occurences in Finland. It was found and explored by GTK at 1980’s. The 3 km long,... more
The use of radon survey in uranium exploration at Kouvervaara, Kuusamo, NE Finland
Kouvervaara at Kuusamo, NE Finland is one of the most promising uranium occurences in Finland. It was found and explored by GTK at 1980’s. The 3 km long, NE-SW-trending ore body with variable thickness is associated with Paleoproeterozoic sericite-quartzites. Namura Finland Oy applied for a uranium exploration claim to this area at the beginning of 2006. The application and lack of information caused opposition related with the Finnish Movement Against Uranium Mines. The opponents tried to obstacle the claim concession in hearings and appealing the Supreme Court, but the exploration license was obtained at the end of 2007. The company was licensed to perform a radon survey, that was executed during the summer 2008. For this survey, a total amount of 400 pits, 50 cm deep and 20 cm wide, were dug in intervals of 50 m along N-S lines with line-spacing of 100 m. Plastic Alphatrack cups with a film that react with alpha particles forming in radioactive decay within the radon
gas were inserted into pits for a month. After that, they were collected and analysed, and results were plotted on a map. A local enterpreneur and labour-force were used in this work and it was executed in harmony with the local people, without conflicts. Nature conservation areas were avoided. An application for extension of claim period for drillings and trenching was made, but abandoned because the company left the country at the beginning of 2010.
Kouvervaara at Kuusamo, NE Finland is one of the most promising uranium occurences in Finland. It was found and explored by GTK at 1980’s. The 3 km long, NE-SW-trending ore body with variable thickness is associated with Paleoproeterozoic sericite-quartzites. Namura Finland Oy applied for a uranium exploration claim to this area at the beginning of 2006. The application and lack of information caused opposition related with the Finnish Movement Against Uranium Mines. The opponents tried to obstacle the claim concession in hearings and appealing the Supreme Court, but the exploration license was obtained at the end of 2007. The company was licensed to perform a radon survey, that was executed during the summer 2008. For this survey, a total amount of 400 pits, 50 cm deep and 20 cm wide, were dug in intervals of 50 m along N-S lines with line-spacing of 100 m. Plastic Alphatrack cups with a film that react with alpha particles forming in radioactive decay within the radon
gas were inserted into pits for a month. After that, they were collected and analysed, and results were plotted on a map. A local enterpreneur and labour-force were used in this work and it was executed in harmony with the local people, without conflicts. Nature conservation areas were avoided. An application for extension of claim period for drillings and trenching was made, but abandoned because the company left the country at the beginning of 2010.
Research Interests:
From ignorance to intimidation? Notes on uranium news Media has an important role in environmental issues. Some geologically related environmental topics have received journalistic attention during the last years in Finland. Those are... more
From ignorance to intimidation? Notes on uranium news
Media has an important role in environmental issues. Some geologically related environmental topics have received journalistic attention during the last years in Finland.
Those are the climate change, disposal of nuclear waste and uranium exploration. The last one has attracted media attention especially because of conflict caused by opposition
to this activity in some regions. The news often follows the opponents’ views, who intimidate people with impacts of possible uranium mines, although the issue is mineral exploration. This can cause fear in population. There
is also a general lack of information about geology and mining activities, which is reflected by news and opponents’ discourse.
This article deals with couple of recent Finnish news on uranium, analysing the related attitudes in media in the country. It also comments some misunderstandings common
in journalism on this environmental conflict in Finland.
Media has an important role in environmental issues. Some geologically related environmental topics have received journalistic attention during the last years in Finland.
Those are the climate change, disposal of nuclear waste and uranium exploration. The last one has attracted media attention especially because of conflict caused by opposition
to this activity in some regions. The news often follows the opponents’ views, who intimidate people with impacts of possible uranium mines, although the issue is mineral exploration. This can cause fear in population. There
is also a general lack of information about geology and mining activities, which is reflected by news and opponents’ discourse.
This article deals with couple of recent Finnish news on uranium, analysing the related attitudes in media in the country. It also comments some misunderstandings common
in journalism on this environmental conflict in Finland.
Research Interests:
Is propaganda science? Notes on the anti-uranium activist-”research” The Finnish movement against uranium exploration has generated a... more
Is propaganda science? Notes on the anti-uranium activist-”research”
The Finnish movement against uranium exploration has generated a number of articles and web-sites. The new aspect
are academic thesis on the subject. One of these is related with the framing (propaganda) used by the anti-uranium movement of Itä-Uusimaa. Other two deals with the possible impact
on municipality image and tourism caused by a hypothetical uranium mine project at Kouvervaara, Kuusamo. An article dealing with the national movement opposing uranium exploration and mines was also recently published in a book on nimby (not in my backyard) conflicts. All investigations
are from the field of social sciences. The general
characteristics of those works are briefly presented and discussed. The main aspects of those studies are the
subjectivity and lack of criticism. They follow blindly the views disseminated by the movement against uranium exploration, that distorts geoscientific facts and terminology. Those
arguments are not questioned and their geoscientific bases are not tested. However, far going conclusions are made on very weak basis, and the position on the subject has been
taken before any data has been collected. Great emotions and ideology are envolved and transparent. For natural sciences this kind of approach sounds weird. But in some sectors of humanistic field it seems to be acceptable or even desirable.
It is concluded that the purpose of such works is propagandistic. Their authors are related with the movement. They are attempts to give academic legimity for the activists’
views, using a “scientific” mask. For this reason, the author calls those thesis as activist-“research” or “research” activism. They wish to base the mining act reform on those arguments. As one of the studies shows how this propaganda is used, decision makers and media should be aware of it.
The uranium fuss is one of the symptoms of the fact that the world has changed. The mining sector’s and geological community’s way to react for this phenomena is through a
strong information campaign based on facts and geosciences.
The Finnish movement against uranium exploration has generated a number of articles and web-sites. The new aspect
are academic thesis on the subject. One of these is related with the framing (propaganda) used by the anti-uranium movement of Itä-Uusimaa. Other two deals with the possible impact
on municipality image and tourism caused by a hypothetical uranium mine project at Kouvervaara, Kuusamo. An article dealing with the national movement opposing uranium exploration and mines was also recently published in a book on nimby (not in my backyard) conflicts. All investigations
are from the field of social sciences. The general
characteristics of those works are briefly presented and discussed. The main aspects of those studies are the
subjectivity and lack of criticism. They follow blindly the views disseminated by the movement against uranium exploration, that distorts geoscientific facts and terminology. Those
arguments are not questioned and their geoscientific bases are not tested. However, far going conclusions are made on very weak basis, and the position on the subject has been
taken before any data has been collected. Great emotions and ideology are envolved and transparent. For natural sciences this kind of approach sounds weird. But in some sectors of humanistic field it seems to be acceptable or even desirable.
It is concluded that the purpose of such works is propagandistic. Their authors are related with the movement. They are attempts to give academic legimity for the activists’
views, using a “scientific” mask. For this reason, the author calls those thesis as activist-“research” or “research” activism. They wish to base the mining act reform on those arguments. As one of the studies shows how this propaganda is used, decision makers and media should be aware of it.
The uranium fuss is one of the symptoms of the fact that the world has changed. The mining sector’s and geological community’s way to react for this phenomena is through a
strong information campaign based on facts and geosciences.
Research Interests: Social Research Methods and Methodology, Environmental Activism, Finland, Uranium exploration, Political ecology, NGOs, sustainable development, biodiversity, agroecology, amazonia, brazil, global change, environmental actors, protect areas, nature conservation., and 2 moreUranium and Environment and Scientists as Activists
Research Interests:
No tillites, no cap carbonates? What’s wrong with the "snowball Earth’s” southern Brazil? The article deals with the research on Neoproterozoic diamictites in southern Brazil. Some of these diamictites might be related with global... more
No tillites, no cap carbonates? What’s wrong with the "snowball Earth’s” southern Brazil?
The article deals with the research on Neoproterozoic diamictites in southern Brazil. Some of these diamictites might be related with global Neoproterozoic glaciations, although no consistent evidences for that have been found yet by the author. However, research on this issue is in its very beginning.
No attention has been given for this issue in the current local literature.
The ages of the Neoproterozoic successions of southern Brazil are 860–700 Ma (Vacacaí, and Brusque Groups), and ~640–450 Ma (Camaquã-Santa Bárbara-Itajaí Basins). The age of the first
one coincides with the Kaigas and Sturtian glaciations (<770–700 Ma), and there is one reference on glacial influence near Caçapava do Sul by Bocchi (1970), but it has not been reinvestigated.
A possible association of diamictites with existent iron formations and carbonates within the Vacacaí Group can also be suggestive of Sturtian glacial deposits, but this relationship should be studied.
The Marinoan glacial record (663–636 Ma) is most probably absent, because it is older than the Camaquã-Santa Bárbara-Itajaí basins, and was eroded, if it was present there. A huge hiatus is found between the Vacacaí and Camaquã groups.
It is noteworthy that the beginning of sedimentation (Maricá Group) of the Camaquã Supergroup (~640 Ma) marks the transition from Cryogenian to Ediacaran in southern Brazil and the Maricá Group can then represent a distal, post-Marinoan
meltwater deposition, that can have destroyed Marinoan glacial deposits, if existed there.
The Gaskiers and Moelv/Egan (~580 Ma and ~570 Ma) glacially influenced deposits may well be present within the Camaquã Supergroup. Suggestive features (diamictites and lonestones) have been found within the Bom Jardim Group at Passo
da Areia, Lavras do Sul, and the sequence is under investigation by the author. However, due to lack of clearly identifiable glacial deposits, the region forms an anomalous area in the middle of extensive Sturtian, Marinoan, and
Gaskiers glacial records found at paleogeographically surrounding areas (Paraná, Mato Grosso, Namibia, Uruguay, Argentina and Laurentia).
The apparent absence of clearly identifiable glacial deposits and a general ignoring of the Neoproterozoic climate changes in the current local literature give an impression that southern Brazil was not affected by Neoproterozoic glaciations at
all, although several, significant sea-level changes are recorded there. For some reason, eustatic causes have not been discussed in the local literature. There are slight coincidences of base level variations during the evolution of the Camaquã Basin. The base level rose after the Marinoan
glaciation, and dropped during the Gaskiers and Moelv/Egan glaciations. However, the tectonic effects on sedimentation have been systematically over-emphasized in literature on the region.
Four reasons are suggested in order to try to explain
the apparent lacking of the Neoproterozoic glacial record at southernmost Brazil: (1) The subject remains little or univestigated; (2) Glacial deposits may be present in some little investigated or unknown places; (3) Total removal or reworking of glacial deposits, and (4) Equatorial location of
southern Brazil, with warm climate. However, the apparent absence of such record can be simply due to lack of specific studies on the subject. Therefore, it is premature to say if
there are remains of Neoproterozoic glacial deposits
or not. The proposed natural causes to explain such apparent
absence are that the region was located at an ice-free, near-equatorial position, but with a cold, non-glacial climate, suggested by entirely clastic sedimentation of the Camaquã Supergroup, or that a possible glacial record was eroded or reworked, and has not been recognized. Provenance, geochemical and sequence stratigraphic and paleomagnetic investigations on Neoproterozoic sedimentary sequences of southernmost Brazil are key topics in this discussion. Hopefully, further research on southern Brazil would reveal if the region was affected by Neoproterozoic glaciations or not, and which of the presented reasons are valid to explain the apparent absence of their record, or are there other hypothesis that are not considered here. At this moment, the only certainty is that southern Brazil was not isolated from the rest of the world during Neoproterozoic. It is time to locate it within a broad context of global events of that period.
The article deals with the research on Neoproterozoic diamictites in southern Brazil. Some of these diamictites might be related with global Neoproterozoic glaciations, although no consistent evidences for that have been found yet by the author. However, research on this issue is in its very beginning.
No attention has been given for this issue in the current local literature.
The ages of the Neoproterozoic successions of southern Brazil are 860–700 Ma (Vacacaí, and Brusque Groups), and ~640–450 Ma (Camaquã-Santa Bárbara-Itajaí Basins). The age of the first
one coincides with the Kaigas and Sturtian glaciations (<770–700 Ma), and there is one reference on glacial influence near Caçapava do Sul by Bocchi (1970), but it has not been reinvestigated.
A possible association of diamictites with existent iron formations and carbonates within the Vacacaí Group can also be suggestive of Sturtian glacial deposits, but this relationship should be studied.
The Marinoan glacial record (663–636 Ma) is most probably absent, because it is older than the Camaquã-Santa Bárbara-Itajaí basins, and was eroded, if it was present there. A huge hiatus is found between the Vacacaí and Camaquã groups.
It is noteworthy that the beginning of sedimentation (Maricá Group) of the Camaquã Supergroup (~640 Ma) marks the transition from Cryogenian to Ediacaran in southern Brazil and the Maricá Group can then represent a distal, post-Marinoan
meltwater deposition, that can have destroyed Marinoan glacial deposits, if existed there.
The Gaskiers and Moelv/Egan (~580 Ma and ~570 Ma) glacially influenced deposits may well be present within the Camaquã Supergroup. Suggestive features (diamictites and lonestones) have been found within the Bom Jardim Group at Passo
da Areia, Lavras do Sul, and the sequence is under investigation by the author. However, due to lack of clearly identifiable glacial deposits, the region forms an anomalous area in the middle of extensive Sturtian, Marinoan, and
Gaskiers glacial records found at paleogeographically surrounding areas (Paraná, Mato Grosso, Namibia, Uruguay, Argentina and Laurentia).
The apparent absence of clearly identifiable glacial deposits and a general ignoring of the Neoproterozoic climate changes in the current local literature give an impression that southern Brazil was not affected by Neoproterozoic glaciations at
all, although several, significant sea-level changes are recorded there. For some reason, eustatic causes have not been discussed in the local literature. There are slight coincidences of base level variations during the evolution of the Camaquã Basin. The base level rose after the Marinoan
glaciation, and dropped during the Gaskiers and Moelv/Egan glaciations. However, the tectonic effects on sedimentation have been systematically over-emphasized in literature on the region.
Four reasons are suggested in order to try to explain
the apparent lacking of the Neoproterozoic glacial record at southernmost Brazil: (1) The subject remains little or univestigated; (2) Glacial deposits may be present in some little investigated or unknown places; (3) Total removal or reworking of glacial deposits, and (4) Equatorial location of
southern Brazil, with warm climate. However, the apparent absence of such record can be simply due to lack of specific studies on the subject. Therefore, it is premature to say if
there are remains of Neoproterozoic glacial deposits
or not. The proposed natural causes to explain such apparent
absence are that the region was located at an ice-free, near-equatorial position, but with a cold, non-glacial climate, suggested by entirely clastic sedimentation of the Camaquã Supergroup, or that a possible glacial record was eroded or reworked, and has not been recognized. Provenance, geochemical and sequence stratigraphic and paleomagnetic investigations on Neoproterozoic sedimentary sequences of southernmost Brazil are key topics in this discussion. Hopefully, further research on southern Brazil would reveal if the region was affected by Neoproterozoic glaciations or not, and which of the presented reasons are valid to explain the apparent absence of their record, or are there other hypothesis that are not considered here. At this moment, the only certainty is that southern Brazil was not isolated from the rest of the world during Neoproterozoic. It is time to locate it within a broad context of global events of that period.
Research Interests:
Neoproterozoic climate changes. Research on Southern Brazil. The article deals with the research on Neoproterozoic diamictites in southern Brazil, namely in the Santa Bárbara Basin in the Rio Grande do Sul State (RS) and the Brusque, and... more
Neoproterozoic climate changes. Research on Southern Brazil.
The article deals with the research on Neoproterozoic diamictites in southern Brazil, namely in the Santa Bárbara Basin in the Rio Grande do Sul State (RS) and the Brusque, and Itajaí basins in the Santa Catarina State (SC). An inventory and assessment on diamictites and associated lonestone facies is being made on this area. A detailed investigation is ongoing on the Passo da Areia Sequence in the Lavras do Sul region in RS.
It belongs to the Picada das Graças Formation of the Bom Jardim Group, coeval with the Gaskiers glaciation (~580 Ma). The sequence was earlier proposed as glaciogenic by the author, but new investigations have shown ambiguous evidences, such as lack of striations and facetting on clasts.
However, one bullet boulder was found, but this can have been dropped by seasonal ice. Some of the clasts in rhythmic shales were emplaced by sliding, and diamictites probabably represent a lahar deposit.
Diamictites of the Itajaí Basin have also not shown glacial evidences. They are related with turbidites, representing subaqueous mudflows. Both units are younger than the Marinoan glaciation that ended at 636 Ma. However, local Gaskiers glacial deposits (580 Ma) are probable to be found.
It is also possible, that the diamictites represent distal expressions of glacial deposits. Neoproterozoic metadiamictites were recently discovered by the author at the Cabeçudas Beach, near the Itajaí Town in SC. They belong to the Brusque Group that has age of 750−700 Ma. They are similar and coeval with the Chuos-Formation in Namibia that epresents the Sturtian Glaciation. However, they seem to be just a lense, and the deformation difficults their interpretation.
The article deals with the research on Neoproterozoic diamictites in southern Brazil, namely in the Santa Bárbara Basin in the Rio Grande do Sul State (RS) and the Brusque, and Itajaí basins in the Santa Catarina State (SC). An inventory and assessment on diamictites and associated lonestone facies is being made on this area. A detailed investigation is ongoing on the Passo da Areia Sequence in the Lavras do Sul region in RS.
It belongs to the Picada das Graças Formation of the Bom Jardim Group, coeval with the Gaskiers glaciation (~580 Ma). The sequence was earlier proposed as glaciogenic by the author, but new investigations have shown ambiguous evidences, such as lack of striations and facetting on clasts.
However, one bullet boulder was found, but this can have been dropped by seasonal ice. Some of the clasts in rhythmic shales were emplaced by sliding, and diamictites probabably represent a lahar deposit.
Diamictites of the Itajaí Basin have also not shown glacial evidences. They are related with turbidites, representing subaqueous mudflows. Both units are younger than the Marinoan glaciation that ended at 636 Ma. However, local Gaskiers glacial deposits (580 Ma) are probable to be found.
It is also possible, that the diamictites represent distal expressions of glacial deposits. Neoproterozoic metadiamictites were recently discovered by the author at the Cabeçudas Beach, near the Itajaí Town in SC. They belong to the Brusque Group that has age of 750−700 Ma. They are similar and coeval with the Chuos-Formation in Namibia that epresents the Sturtian Glaciation. However, they seem to be just a lense, and the deformation difficults their interpretation.
Research Interests:
Environmental impact of uranium exploration at Kouvervaara, Kuusamo, NE Finland In an attempt to obstruct claim concession for uranium exploration at Kouvervaara, Kuusamo, NE Finland, its opponents appealed against the environmental... more
Environmental impact of uranium exploration at Kouvervaara,
Kuusamo, NE Finland
In an attempt to obstruct claim concession for uranium exploration at Kouvervaara, Kuusamo, NE Finland, its opponents appealed against the environmental impact of a hypothetical uranium mine. They presented quite exacerbated and unrealistic allegations on environmental impacts of
uranium exploration, such as contamination of groundwater and surficial waters, increase of radiation and release of radon gas, as well as damage for rare plants due to digging and drilling. These allegations were contested in public hearings and Supreme Court. The allegations and answers for them are presented in this article. The allegations are not supported by
the geoscientific literature on the subject. The uranium in groundwater, radiation and radon are a natural phenomenon of uranium-bearing areas; mineral exploration does not increase them. The area was a subject of a previous uranium exploration, and it did not caused damage either. Mineral
exploration does not produce harmful environmental
effects. If allegations are compared with other forms of land use in the area, such as forestry, swamp drainage, and gravel extraction, it should have already experienced a severe environmental impact due to the landowners’ and previous uranium explorers’ activities. Uranium exploration also did not cause any impact on tourism, as was alleged.
The allegations were presented by activists and researchers, who are not familiar with natural and environmental sciences. The lack of reasonability of allegations can be understood, because it seems that it was the very first time that the opponents were dealing with geology and mineral exploration.
However, the bias and tendentiousness work only in propaganda. The case shows also that a claim should not be opposed with arguments against a mine, because they are different issues in practice, as well as in justice. The allegations should concentrate on the essential that really has importance regarding mineral exploration.
The case of Kouvervaara is also a lesson for mining companies. The local people should be taken in account and mining companies should have an active and effective information policy at the very beginning of their activities. To opponents, it is suggested to be in touch with a specialised geologist, who can discuss and check if allegations to be
presented are reasonable. It is also recommended to take a look in a basic literature on mineral exploration and environmental geology. After that, the elaboration of conspiracy theories, where national authorities and research institutes are involved with uranium exploration companies, can be seen as unnecessary. Dialogue is recommended between companies, local people and opponents.
Kuusamo, NE Finland
In an attempt to obstruct claim concession for uranium exploration at Kouvervaara, Kuusamo, NE Finland, its opponents appealed against the environmental impact of a hypothetical uranium mine. They presented quite exacerbated and unrealistic allegations on environmental impacts of
uranium exploration, such as contamination of groundwater and surficial waters, increase of radiation and release of radon gas, as well as damage for rare plants due to digging and drilling. These allegations were contested in public hearings and Supreme Court. The allegations and answers for them are presented in this article. The allegations are not supported by
the geoscientific literature on the subject. The uranium in groundwater, radiation and radon are a natural phenomenon of uranium-bearing areas; mineral exploration does not increase them. The area was a subject of a previous uranium exploration, and it did not caused damage either. Mineral
exploration does not produce harmful environmental
effects. If allegations are compared with other forms of land use in the area, such as forestry, swamp drainage, and gravel extraction, it should have already experienced a severe environmental impact due to the landowners’ and previous uranium explorers’ activities. Uranium exploration also did not cause any impact on tourism, as was alleged.
The allegations were presented by activists and researchers, who are not familiar with natural and environmental sciences. The lack of reasonability of allegations can be understood, because it seems that it was the very first time that the opponents were dealing with geology and mineral exploration.
However, the bias and tendentiousness work only in propaganda. The case shows also that a claim should not be opposed with arguments against a mine, because they are different issues in practice, as well as in justice. The allegations should concentrate on the essential that really has importance regarding mineral exploration.
The case of Kouvervaara is also a lesson for mining companies. The local people should be taken in account and mining companies should have an active and effective information policy at the very beginning of their activities. To opponents, it is suggested to be in touch with a specialised geologist, who can discuss and check if allegations to be
presented are reasonable. It is also recommended to take a look in a basic literature on mineral exploration and environmental geology. After that, the elaboration of conspiracy theories, where national authorities and research institutes are involved with uranium exploration companies, can be seen as unnecessary. Dialogue is recommended between companies, local people and opponents.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The social impact of Kouvervaara “uranium minining project” on Kuusamo, NE Finland: Does uranium exploration and uranium mines affect tourism? The claim application for uranium in Kouvervaara, Kuusamo, NE Finland, caused resistance... more
The social impact of Kouvervaara “uranium minining project” on Kuusamo, NE Finland: Does uranium exploration and uranium mines affect tourism?
The claim application for uranium in Kouvervaara, Kuusamo, NE Finland, caused resistance because of supposed environmental and social impacts of a hypothetical uranium
mine, although it concerned mineral exploration. A social impact assessment followed the opponents’ view, according by which even a notice of uranium exploration is able to affect
the tourism in the region. The data on Kuusamo show that the issue has no influence on tourism. Tourism is dependent on other aspects, such as the economic situation and climate change. Indeed, uranium mining regions have attracted and
maintained tourism elsewhere.
If there is a real concern about the impact of uranium exploration on tourism, the opponents’ campaign strategy should be changed: an unsubstantial scaring of public can make visitors to avoid the region. This is what tourism entrepreneurs should be worried about, and researchers and activists should also take this in account.
The claim application for uranium in Kouvervaara, Kuusamo, NE Finland, caused resistance because of supposed environmental and social impacts of a hypothetical uranium
mine, although it concerned mineral exploration. A social impact assessment followed the opponents’ view, according by which even a notice of uranium exploration is able to affect
the tourism in the region. The data on Kuusamo show that the issue has no influence on tourism. Tourism is dependent on other aspects, such as the economic situation and climate change. Indeed, uranium mining regions have attracted and
maintained tourism elsewhere.
If there is a real concern about the impact of uranium exploration on tourism, the opponents’ campaign strategy should be changed: an unsubstantial scaring of public can make visitors to avoid the region. This is what tourism entrepreneurs should be worried about, and researchers and activists should also take this in account.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The anthropology of activism: Why the alleged threats of uranium exploration are created, presented and believed? The article deals with the opposition to uranium exploration in Finland, and discusses the role of environmental activism... more
The anthropology of activism: Why the alleged threats of uranium exploration are created, presented and believed?
The article deals with the opposition to uranium exploration in Finland, and discusses the role of environmental activism in it, based on a conflict on the claim concession on Kouvervaara,
Kuusamo, NE Finland (2006–2008), and the allegations presented against it by the opponents. The paper looks for reasons on why environmental activists created, presented and believed allegations on the threats of uranium exploration, although uranium exploration causes no demonstrated harm to the environment, and the allegations were repealed at the hearings and in high court rulings, and are
not supported by the geoscientific literature. These reasons are found in the activists’ concept of nature, ideology, radiophobia, education, legitimacy strategy, faith, and sense of
“moral legitimacy”. The self-induced moral legitimacy created a duty and faith for the action and self-created allegations, originating a vicious circle. The causes worked in interaction,
strengthening each other, generating a system which created allegations for the activity’s legitimacy strategy, which then used them as arguments in propaganda, thesis, hearings and
appeals in order to obstruct the claim concession. Their use was justified by the “moral legitimacy”. When the authorities rejected the allegations in public hearings and appeals, licensing the claim, it created a strong disbelief and feeling
of injustice in the activists. This resulted in conspiracy theories on the authorities’ involvement with the company, as a rhetoric strategy to divert attention from the rejected
arguments. These conspiracy theories have made the activists less likely to appropriately consider the facts, and rational discussion with the activists difficult.
The self-created threats and their public presentation can cause social impacts, affecting a company and its employees, local livelihoods (e.g. tourism) and people by creating fear and anxiety. However, they can also affect the activists themselves in the form of public distrust and disapproval of their activity, especially if the local democracy is disrespected.
These issues open interesting questions about the social impacts, responsibility and local license to operate of activism.
The article deals with the opposition to uranium exploration in Finland, and discusses the role of environmental activism in it, based on a conflict on the claim concession on Kouvervaara,
Kuusamo, NE Finland (2006–2008), and the allegations presented against it by the opponents. The paper looks for reasons on why environmental activists created, presented and believed allegations on the threats of uranium exploration, although uranium exploration causes no demonstrated harm to the environment, and the allegations were repealed at the hearings and in high court rulings, and are
not supported by the geoscientific literature. These reasons are found in the activists’ concept of nature, ideology, radiophobia, education, legitimacy strategy, faith, and sense of
“moral legitimacy”. The self-induced moral legitimacy created a duty and faith for the action and self-created allegations, originating a vicious circle. The causes worked in interaction,
strengthening each other, generating a system which created allegations for the activity’s legitimacy strategy, which then used them as arguments in propaganda, thesis, hearings and
appeals in order to obstruct the claim concession. Their use was justified by the “moral legitimacy”. When the authorities rejected the allegations in public hearings and appeals, licensing the claim, it created a strong disbelief and feeling
of injustice in the activists. This resulted in conspiracy theories on the authorities’ involvement with the company, as a rhetoric strategy to divert attention from the rejected
arguments. These conspiracy theories have made the activists less likely to appropriately consider the facts, and rational discussion with the activists difficult.
The self-created threats and their public presentation can cause social impacts, affecting a company and its employees, local livelihoods (e.g. tourism) and people by creating fear and anxiety. However, they can also affect the activists themselves in the form of public distrust and disapproval of their activity, especially if the local democracy is disrespected.
These issues open interesting questions about the social impacts, responsibility and local license to operate of activism.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The Rompas–Prajapat (Au-Co) and Sakatti (Ni-Cu-PGE) mineral deposits are among the only important discoveries of the last few decades in Finland. Both are partially located in Natura 2000 areas, which are among the most sensitive land use... more
The Rompas–Prajapat (Au-Co) and Sakatti (Ni-Cu-PGE) mineral deposits are among the only important discoveries of the last few decades in Finland. Both are partially located in Natura 2000 areas, which are among the most sensitive land use contexts in which mining and mineral
disputes have emerged in Finland. Consequently, the project holders apply low-impact mineral exploration technologies and practice active stakeholder engagement and communication. In fact, projects seem to be mostly favored by local populations. However, because of their association with protected areas (and uranium in the case of Rompas), projects are opposed by non-governmental organizations, as well as by reindeer herders in the case of Sakatti. Project holders perform feasibility
studies and environmental impact assessments. Mining licenses are applied under a new Finnish mining act and the European Union’s Raw Materials acts.
disputes have emerged in Finland. Consequently, the project holders apply low-impact mineral exploration technologies and practice active stakeholder engagement and communication. In fact, projects seem to be mostly favored by local populations. However, because of their association with protected areas (and uranium in the case of Rompas), projects are opposed by non-governmental organizations, as well as by reindeer herders in the case of Sakatti. Project holders perform feasibility
studies and environmental impact assessments. Mining licenses are applied under a new Finnish mining act and the European Union’s Raw Materials acts.
Research Interests:
This paper discusses the importance of the energy transition metals Ni, Co and Li in building Europe’s clean technology value chains and meeting the 2050 climate-neutrality goal. Some emerging metal extraction technologies, investigated... more
This paper discusses the importance of the energy transition metals Ni, Co and Li in building Europe’s clean technology value chains and meeting the 2050 climate-neutrality goal. Some emerging metal extraction technologies, investigated in the framework of the Horizon Europe projects ENICON and EXCEED, in order to decrease the carbon footprint of the production of energy transition metals, are also discussed.
Research Interests:
Geosystem services produced by geological processes are the abiotic equivalents of ecosystem services. Geosystems also contribute to satisfying human needs and produce welfare in the form of, e.g., water, soils, mineral deposits,... more
Geosystem services produced by geological processes are the abiotic equivalents of ecosystem services. Geosystems also contribute to satisfying human needs and produce welfare in the form of, e.g., water, soils, mineral deposits, landscapes for recreation and tourism, and habitats for rare species that require protection. Geosystems are inherently linked to ecosystems, which causes overlap between provided services. This overlap may in turn cause conflicts over land-use needs and interests. Such controversies can be manifested as mining and mineral exploration disputes (MMEDs). Some MMEDs from Finland were selected for a closer examination. The MMEDs are described and spatially analyzed from the geosystem services perspective. The main causes for the examined MMEDs are land-use issues, i.e., the location of a project in a sensitive context (a protected area, tourism destination, reindeer herding area, Sámi homeland, or lake with vacation homes), and/or association with uranium and poor corporate conduct and reputation. A more comprehensive consideration of geosystem services by land-use planning may help to accommodate and reconciliate diverse interests and alleviate disputes.
Research Interests:
Not in my backyard’ (NIMBY) is a well-known phenomenon related to opposition against any proposed project by residents. Parallel to that, Finland has seen the development of a new phenomenon that is related to tourism and second homes... more
Not in my backyard’ (NIMBY) is a well-known phenomenon related to opposition against any proposed project by residents. Parallel to that, Finland has seen the development of a new phenomenon that is related to tourism and second homes (cottages) alleged to be threaten by any proposed project, called as ‘not in my leisure area’ (NIMLA). NIMLA was initially mentioned regarding wind farms, mining, and mineral exploration projects in regions of tourism destinations and cottages, such as Kuusamo and Kolari in northern Finland, but the green energy transition with its battery minerals boom has expanded it recently to Saimaa Lake region with cottages of southeastern Finland. Within this context, the cottage owners have become as an influential stakeholder group. They are mostly from the Uusimaa Province, where opposition for mining is strongest even without mines. They represent several liberal professions and spread their influence on local mining debate in rural municipalities all over Finland through the cottage culture. The paper defines the NIMLA and describes it through concrete cases related to mining and mineral exploration disputes in the mentioned contexts in Finland. The phenomenon will be spatially observed from the geosystem services perspective, which is an abiotic correspondent of ecosystem services. During billions of years of Earth history, geosystem services have generated mineral deposits, lithologies, reliefs, soils, water systems, landscapes, and habitats for endangered species. Such products of geosystem services are focus of diverse interests which may conflict when they overlap in a certain area. Such situations may cause disputes between social and economic interests. Better and responsible consideration of diverse products of geosystem services by a comprehensive land use planning may avoid and alleviate such controversies. Companies are recommended to take associated land use and sensitive contexts in account when planning activities and applying for licenses for mineral exploration and mining. Similarly, property and real estate purchasers, and tourism entrepreneurs are recommended to consult open online geological maps on mineral deposits and mineral potential to be aware of such features close by and to not be surprised by potential mineral exploration and mining projects close by in the future.
Research Interests:
The Finnish mining and mineral exploration disputes (MMEDs) are related to project location associated with tourism destination, protected area (PA), indigenous Sámi homeland, reindeer herding, lake area with second homes (cottages), and... more
The Finnish mining and mineral exploration disputes (MMEDs) are related to project location associated with tourism destination, protected area (PA), indigenous Sámi homeland, reindeer herding, lake area with second homes (cottages), and uranium. Issues may overlap and several MMEDs are associated to water systems, tourism, and cottages. They are called as the ‘not in my leisure area’ (NIMLA) phenomenon. NIMLA is characterized by allegations presented by tourists, tourist entrepreneurs, cottage owners and non-governmental organizations (NGO) on negative social, and economic impact on tourism and cottages caused by any project. Usually, moral panic is associated. The oldest mining-related NIMLA cases are the Hannukainen iron-copper-cobalt-gold, and Juomasuo gold-cobalt mine projects in Kolari and Kuusamo, northern Finland. Both are close to rivers that are feared to be polluted by the future mines’ effluents and in regions with nature-based tourism and PAs. Juomasuo is also associated with uranium. Disputes were inherited from former project holders. Most of the NIMLA cases have been in the lake region of southeastern Finland. The disputes in this area started in 2018, when a company was exploring for graphite in the Heinävesi area. This was followed by other cases in 2020, when companies applied for exploration permits along the lake areas due to battery minerals boom. Several mining-skeptical groups emerged. The most recent NIMLA cases are in Koli, and Pyhä-Luosto in eastern and northern Finland, respectively. While the disputes of Hannukainen and Juomasuo are long-standing, many of the most recent ones have been ephemeral. Exploration does not necessarily continue, and even less leads to a mine; the area is abandoned by a company and opposition is dissolved. However, abandon has also happened because of resistance. NIMLA brings a new regional dimension of attachment to a place for local MMEDs and a challenge for social license to operate in Finland.
Research Interests:
Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli lisätä ymmärrystä kiertotalouden potentiaalista vaikuttaa Suomen luonnonvarojen käyttöön ja niistä aiheutuviin ympäristö- ja talousvaikutuksiin. Viimeaikaisen kehityksen lisäksi arvioitiin kolmea luonnonvarojen... more
Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli lisätä ymmärrystä kiertotalouden potentiaalista vaikuttaa Suomen luonnonvarojen käyttöön ja niistä aiheutuviin ympäristö- ja talousvaikutuksiin. Viimeaikaisen kehityksen lisäksi arvioitiin kolmea luonnonvarojen käytön skenaariota
vuodelle 2035. Niihin lisättiin kiertotaloustoimenpiteitä vaiheittain siten, että kunniahimoisin skenaario pyrki saavuttamaan Suomen kiertotalouden strategisen ohjelman luonnonvaratavoitteiden lisäksi myös Suomen hiilineutraalisuustavoitteen. Tulosten perusteella kiertotalouden strategisessa ohjelmassa asetut luonnonvaratavoitteet ovat osin saavutettavissa. Tällöin Suomen raaka-aineiden kokonaiskulutus vuonna 2035 ei ylitä vuoden 2015 tasoa, ja materiaalien kiertotalousaste kaksinkertaistuu vuodesta 2015. Myös hiilineutraalisuus voidaan
saavuttaa vuoteen 2035 mennessä työssä hahmoteltujen oletuksien ja lisätoimien toteutuessa. Puhdas energiasiirtymä vähentää Suomen päästöjä ja luonnonvarojen käyttöä merkittävästi jo nykyisten päätösten toteutuessa perusskenaariossa. Kiertotaloustoimenpiteet edistävät edelleen päästöjen laskua ja vahvistavat nieluja. Suomen raaka-aineiden kulutus asukasta kohden säilyy kiertotaloustoimenpiteistä
huolimatta globaalisti erittäin korkealla tasolla ja resurssituottavuudessa jäädään kauas EU-maiden keskiarvosta. Kiertotalouden toteutukseen tarvitaan lisää kunnianhimoa ja toimintaa tukevia ohjauskeinoja
vuodelle 2035. Niihin lisättiin kiertotaloustoimenpiteitä vaiheittain siten, että kunniahimoisin skenaario pyrki saavuttamaan Suomen kiertotalouden strategisen ohjelman luonnonvaratavoitteiden lisäksi myös Suomen hiilineutraalisuustavoitteen. Tulosten perusteella kiertotalouden strategisessa ohjelmassa asetut luonnonvaratavoitteet ovat osin saavutettavissa. Tällöin Suomen raaka-aineiden kokonaiskulutus vuonna 2035 ei ylitä vuoden 2015 tasoa, ja materiaalien kiertotalousaste kaksinkertaistuu vuodesta 2015. Myös hiilineutraalisuus voidaan
saavuttaa vuoteen 2035 mennessä työssä hahmoteltujen oletuksien ja lisätoimien toteutuessa. Puhdas energiasiirtymä vähentää Suomen päästöjä ja luonnonvarojen käyttöä merkittävästi jo nykyisten päätösten toteutuessa perusskenaariossa. Kiertotaloustoimenpiteet edistävät edelleen päästöjen laskua ja vahvistavat nieluja. Suomen raaka-aineiden kulutus asukasta kohden säilyy kiertotaloustoimenpiteistä
huolimatta globaalisti erittäin korkealla tasolla ja resurssituottavuudessa jäädään kauas EU-maiden keskiarvosta. Kiertotalouden toteutukseen tarvitaan lisää kunnianhimoa ja toimintaa tukevia ohjauskeinoja
Research Interests:
Vastuullisen kaivostoiminnan kehittäminen on yhteinen poikki tieteellinen oppimisprosessi. Geoetiikalla, estetiikalla, filosofialla ja sosiogeologialla on kaivoskeskusteluun paljon annettavaa, mutta niitä ovat käsitelleet lähinnä... more
Vastuullisen kaivostoiminnan kehittäminen on yhteinen poikki tieteellinen oppimisprosessi. Geoetiikalla, estetiikalla, filosofialla ja sosiogeologialla on kaivoskeskusteluun paljon annettavaa, mutta niitä ovat käsitelleet lähinnä filosofit, maantieteilijät ja yhteiskuntatieteilijät. Geologit pitäisi saada keskusteluun mukaan. Grand Canyon.
Research Interests:
Social media has become a powerful tool for corporate communication but also for environmental movement that uses it in its campaign against the mining industry. The escalation of the Talvivaara polymetallic mine’s environmental problems... more
Social media has become a powerful tool for corporate communication but also for environmental movement that uses it in its campaign against the mining industry. The escalation of the Talvivaara polymetallic
mine’s environmental problems was the first moment when the mining-skeptical social media campaign was felt in Finland. The ongoing green energy transition has raised a number of new local mining-skeptical
movements with their social media groups in the country. They have targeted researchers, decision makers and even mining-related EU
research projects with appeals as a part of their campaign. Observation of such social media groups and participation in their discussions and research of mining disputes are a challenging but a needed task. In this article the author reports his own experiences with such mining-skeptical social media groups. The article deals also with the current mining debate, research, and activities of the mining-skeptical movement in Finland.
mine’s environmental problems was the first moment when the mining-skeptical social media campaign was felt in Finland. The ongoing green energy transition has raised a number of new local mining-skeptical
movements with their social media groups in the country. They have targeted researchers, decision makers and even mining-related EU
research projects with appeals as a part of their campaign. Observation of such social media groups and participation in their discussions and research of mining disputes are a challenging but a needed task. In this article the author reports his own experiences with such mining-skeptical social media groups. The article deals also with the current mining debate, research, and activities of the mining-skeptical movement in Finland.
Research Interests:
... Aika-kauteen liittyvässä keskustelussa on sekä jäätik-köfriikkejä, jotka näkevat “tilliittejä” joka puo-lella, että kriittisempiä ... väitöskirjaani “Myöhäisproterotsoois-kambrikau-den ilmastonmuutokset Etelä-Brasiliassa” jota... more
... Aika-kauteen liittyvässä keskustelussa on sekä jäätik-köfriikkejä, jotka näkevat “tilliittejä” joka puo-lella, että kriittisempiä ... väitöskirjaani “Myöhäisproterotsoois-kambrikau-den ilmastonmuutokset Etelä-Brasiliassa” jota valmistelen Helsingin yliopiston Geologian lai-tokselle, prof ...
Research Interests:
After a years' gap, the Finnish bedrock's mineral resources have re-attracted attention, especially for the metals (Fe, U, Cu, Au and Ni). In the last years, a number of foreign companies have rushed to explore and exploit... more
After a years' gap, the Finnish bedrock's mineral resources have re-attracted attention, especially for the metals (Fe, U, Cu, Au and Ni). In the last years, a number of foreign companies have rushed to explore and exploit minerals. However, inadequate integration to the local context might yield problems with local communities. From the company perspective, local but nationally and internationally intertwined stakeholder engagement is part of the corporate social responsibility framework. Within this framework, deficient stakeholder engagement in mineral exploration might endanger the company's social license to operate, whereas it might cause an atmosphere of fear for the community. Stakeholder engagement in mineral exploration has been studied in Finland only in terms of communication in uranium exploration conflicts but hardly regarding other minerals, which until recent years have not seemed to intrigue major company-community conflicts. Hence, this study serves for...
Research Interests:
The websites of companies practicing mineral exploration in Finland (CPMEF) were surveyed for references to new low-impact mineral exploration technologies (NLIMET) and the social license to explore (SLE), i.e., acceptance/approval of... more
The websites of companies practicing mineral exploration in Finland (CPMEF) were surveyed for references to new low-impact mineral exploration technologies (NLIMET) and the social license to explore
(SLE), i.e., acceptance/approval of mineral exploration by the local community. The purpose was to examine which NLIMET are used by the companies and how they understand the SLE, how these two topics
are communicated on their websites, whether they are interlinked, and what may be the motivation for communicating these topics.
Twenty companies were found to refer to SLE-related issues on their websites. However, most of these websites do not directly mention
the SLE as a term, but instead address it under terms such as acceptance, stakeholder engagement or the company–community relationship. Nine companies report the use of NLIMET. Coincidently, the same companies
mostly also refer to the SLE. The operational contexts of companies mentioning NLIMET were examined, and most of them were found to be exploring in sensitive areas and/or deposits associated with uranium and
facing opposition. Indeed, such contexts may challenge the acquisition the SLE in Finland, even if the companies apply and communicate
the use of NLIMET. More detailed results of the investigation are found in Eerola (2021).
(SLE), i.e., acceptance/approval of mineral exploration by the local community. The purpose was to examine which NLIMET are used by the companies and how they understand the SLE, how these two topics
are communicated on their websites, whether they are interlinked, and what may be the motivation for communicating these topics.
Twenty companies were found to refer to SLE-related issues on their websites. However, most of these websites do not directly mention
the SLE as a term, but instead address it under terms such as acceptance, stakeholder engagement or the company–community relationship. Nine companies report the use of NLIMET. Coincidently, the same companies
mostly also refer to the SLE. The operational contexts of companies mentioning NLIMET were examined, and most of them were found to be exploring in sensitive areas and/or deposits associated with uranium and
facing opposition. Indeed, such contexts may challenge the acquisition the SLE in Finland, even if the companies apply and communicate
the use of NLIMET. More detailed results of the investigation are found in Eerola (2021).
Research Interests:
Pääkirjoitus
Research Interests:
Current trends in transport electrification and mobile technologies have created an increasing demand for raw materials needed for battery production. The supply chains involved are global, complex, non-transparent and sometimes... more
Current trends in transport electrification and mobile technologies have created an increasing demand for raw materials needed for battery production. The supply chains involved are global, complex, non-transparent and sometimes associated with unsustainable production practices. To improve on the current situation, it is essential to trace battery raw materials back to their origins to verify the conditions in which they were produced. This demand for increased transparency has triggered actions in European Union legislation and among companies operating within battery supply chains.
In this report, we review the current landscape for the application of traceability methods to battery supply chains. The report begins with a global overview of selected battery metals and minerals and their related sustainability issues. As sustainability is an integral goal for traceability, sustainability reporting systems for mining are reviewed from the perspective of traceability. Existing traceability methods and case studies in battery supply chains are reviewed, including the geo-based fingerprinting method (laboratory technology) that is being developed in the BATTRACE research project. We also discuss the business potential of the geo-based fingerprinting method.
Several drivers are identified for traceability. The main driver comes from regulatory development, such as the EU’s battery directives. Customer awareness of sustainability issues is also beginning to influence manufacturers (OEMs) to invest in the transparency of their battery metal supply chains. In addition, the producers of sustainable and low emission raw materials have identified the commercial benefit of tracing the greenhouse gas emissions of their products along the supply chain. Current sustainability and reporting systems used within the mining industry are inadequate to comply with the increased traceability needs, as their focus is limited to the beginning of the supply chain.
The traceability pilots that are currently in use are still limited in scope. For traceability to become commonplace in mining supply chains, OEMs will need to recognize the overall commercial benefits of traceability. Ethical questions dominate in the sustainability considerations on cobalt production, and there are indications that the cobalt market may be separating into traceable and certified cobalt, and bulk cobalt. For lithium and graphite production, the dominating sustainability considerations relate to water and energy consumption and dust. Lithium and graphite are not currently communicated to be included in any digital traceability solution under preparation, but they have been included in BATTRACE research for the geo-based fingerprinting method. Geo-based fingerprinting has considerable commercial potential as a traceability method and a verification tool. As the geological and elemental characteristics of a sample cannot be falsified, the method has unique potential as a stand-alone traceability technology, or as a complementary verification method with any other traceability system. The method could also serve as a verification tool in the “Metals from Finland” certificate, which could sharpen the marketing of sustainable and traceable battery metals production from Finland.
In this report, we review the current landscape for the application of traceability methods to battery supply chains. The report begins with a global overview of selected battery metals and minerals and their related sustainability issues. As sustainability is an integral goal for traceability, sustainability reporting systems for mining are reviewed from the perspective of traceability. Existing traceability methods and case studies in battery supply chains are reviewed, including the geo-based fingerprinting method (laboratory technology) that is being developed in the BATTRACE research project. We also discuss the business potential of the geo-based fingerprinting method.
Several drivers are identified for traceability. The main driver comes from regulatory development, such as the EU’s battery directives. Customer awareness of sustainability issues is also beginning to influence manufacturers (OEMs) to invest in the transparency of their battery metal supply chains. In addition, the producers of sustainable and low emission raw materials have identified the commercial benefit of tracing the greenhouse gas emissions of their products along the supply chain. Current sustainability and reporting systems used within the mining industry are inadequate to comply with the increased traceability needs, as their focus is limited to the beginning of the supply chain.
The traceability pilots that are currently in use are still limited in scope. For traceability to become commonplace in mining supply chains, OEMs will need to recognize the overall commercial benefits of traceability. Ethical questions dominate in the sustainability considerations on cobalt production, and there are indications that the cobalt market may be separating into traceable and certified cobalt, and bulk cobalt. For lithium and graphite production, the dominating sustainability considerations relate to water and energy consumption and dust. Lithium and graphite are not currently communicated to be included in any digital traceability solution under preparation, but they have been included in BATTRACE research for the geo-based fingerprinting method. Geo-based fingerprinting has considerable commercial potential as a traceability method and a verification tool. As the geological and elemental characteristics of a sample cannot be falsified, the method has unique potential as a stand-alone traceability technology, or as a complementary verification method with any other traceability system. The method could also serve as a verification tool in the “Metals from Finland” certificate, which could sharpen the marketing of sustainable and traceable battery metals production from Finland.