From the very start of the project, Nordic Mines has being focusing on the environment. Preserving the environment and causing as little impact as possible has been given highest priority. During the past year, Nordic Mines has had a continuous dialogue with the local population. There has been a strong interest in these meetings and they have been well frequented. The local population is positive towards Nordic Mines’ plans to establish mining operations, as long as the environment is not harmed.

 

The discussions have mainly focused on the best ways of preventing harmful substances from the mining process from leaking into lakes and waterways, as well as how to minimize disturbing elements such as dust, noise and vibrations. Apart from these meetings, there is also a cooperation group that meets regularly to discuss the new mine in Laiva.

The cooperation group includes representatives from the village council, community, authorities and landowners. Nordic mines has investigated the possibility of transporting all purified superfluous water from the mining process through a pipeline down to the coast, where it will be used by other industries.  That way, no water from the mining process will be let out. Furthermore, the superfluous water will be treated before it leaves the mining area.



Mining operations always cause noise, vibrations and dust. As there are no permanent residents within the nearest few kilometres from the Laiva deposit, few will be disturbed. But aiming to further minimise the risk of causing disturbances, Nordic Mines will save forest and build noise reducing ramps. Nordic Mines has also decided to follow public opinion and build the road leading to the mining area through an unpopulated area.

The crusher will be placed near the mine. This leads to two important advantages; reduced noise while the ore can be transported with transportation belt, instead of trucks. Another of the company’s environmental targets; that the energy used should be produced in an environmental friendly way, still remains to be fulfilled.



The ore is crushed and ground in the concentrator. A bi-product of this process is sand, which will be treated and the divided into two different kinds:

1. The majority of the sand (98-99 per cent) will be cleansed from harmful substances. Nordic Mines has applied for a license to produce a “paste” from this sand. The paste method means that the sand is de-humidified, resulting in a thick sand paste. This method is used in mines below the surface, but many advantages could be gained from using this method in the planned sand deposit at Laiva.

There are several advantages with paste:

- the water can be re-used in the process
- the sand paste does not generate dust
- reduced risk of metal leaks
- no need to build dams; thus avoiding the risks these always pose

The area covered with paste will be fertilized and planted with shrubs.

2. The rest of the sand will contain metal sulphides, which are stable as long as they are not exposed to air. Nordic Mines will use a Finnish technology to deposit this type of sand in a safe way within the mining area.

The technology is based on collecting all sand rich in sulphides and embedding it in peat in still groundwater. This way an oxygen-free environment is created, which means that the metals will remain stable and that environmentally dangerous leakages will be avoided. On top of the peat layer, soil will be placed and shrubs planted.

Waste rock of good quality will saved as a resource for producing road metal. Waste rock of lesser quality will probably be mixed with paste to produce a material that can be used for after-treatment of the area.

During the past year, Nordic Mines has performed a mining test at Laiva. It was based on testing how to minimize the use of chemicals and energy, while maintaining mining production. The object of the test was to optimize the mining process regarding both the environment and economy.