Lapland Regional Council approves Sakatti phased regional plan proposal for submission to the Finnish Government for consideration
13 May, 2026
The Board of the Regional Council of Lapland approved the Sakatti phased regional plan proposal on 13 May 2026 and will submit it to the Finnish Government for consideration. The proposal includes a request to derogate from Natura protection, which would allow the area to be designated for the Sakatti Project in the regional plan. The final approval of the phase regional plan can be granted by the Regional Council Assembly once all required derogation procedures have been completed.
The Finnish subsidiary of Anglo American, which is preparing the mining project, has provided the Regional Council of Lapland with the necessary materials for the plan proposal. These include extensive environmental studies and impact assessments related to the utilisation of the Sakatti mineral deposit, as well as a plan for compensatory measures to offset potential impacts of the underground mine on the western edge of the protected Viiankiaapa area.
- The phased regional plan is an important milestone in the societal consideration of the project. Years of exceptionally thorough hydrological and other environmental studies provide decision-makers with an evidence-based understanding of the project’s environmental impacts. These are complemented by a plan for compensatory measures to offset potential biodiversity impacts elsewhere, says Pertti Lamberg, Country CEO of Anglo American Finland.
The Finnish Government will assess the proposal to derogate from Natura 2000 protection in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act and the EU Habitats Directive. Such a derogation requires that the project must be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, that no alternative solutions exist, and that the overall coherence of the Natura 2000 network is preserved.
Derogations from Natura protection have been granted in other European countries particularly for transport and energy infrastructure projects. Highways, railways, ports, airports and electricity transmission projects have in some cases been impossible to implement entirely outside Natura areas.
In 2025, the EU granted the Sakatti Project strategic project status, underlining its importance for Europe’s security of supply of critical minerals. The Sakatti mine could increase Europe’s nickel production by more than 25%. It would also double Finland’s copper production. At the same time, the planned investment of over one billion euros would significantly strengthen economic vitality in Northern Finland and the Finnish mining sector.
In addition to approval by the Finnish Government, the project requires several other permits and decisions from authorities.
Further information:
Pertti Lamberg, Country CEO, Anglo American Finland
Tel. +358 40 128 3988
Email: [email protected]
Joanna Kuntonen-van ’t Riet, Corporate Affairs and Communications, Anglo American Finland
Tel. +358 40 160 2960
Email: [email protected]
Background information on the Sakatti Project
The Sakatti polymetallic deposit is located 15 km north of Sodankylä, beneath the western edge of the Viiankiaapa Natura 2000 area and mire conservation area. The surface projection of the underground mine is 49.7 hectares, which is less than 1% of the Viiankiaapa Natura area (6,595 ha).
The deposit contains strategic and critical minerals important for Europe’s mineral self-sufficiency - including copper, nickel, cobalt, and platinum group metals - as well as precious metals such as gold and silver. The ore grades are exceptionally high, allowing for higher metal recovery relative to the volume of material mined.
Anglo American’s Finnish subsidiary is planning an underground mine, with ore transported via a 5.5 km tunnel for processing outside the protected area. No surface structures will be located within the protected area.
The mine is being designed in line with Anglo American’s FutureSmart Mining™ approach, utilizing technology and digitalization to reduce environmental impacts throughout the production chain.
The Sakatti mining project would have significant local and national economic impacts. It would strengthen employment and vitality in Sodankylä by creating 300–500 direct jobs. According to a recent Copenhagen Economics study, the project’s net tax contribution would be approximately €50 million per year during operation, and it would contribute around €500 million annually to Finland’s GDP.
Map showing the estimated impact areas of mining operations and the areas where compensatory measures are planned.