Media - Press Release

The Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY- Centre) and Metsähallitus have issued their statements on the updated Natura 2000 assessment for the Anglo American’s Sakatti Project in Finland. Both statements note that the Natura assessment is sufficient. The statement is required for the phased regional plan and Natura derogation application prepared by the Lapland Council. The Finnish government would decide on any exemptions from Natura 2000 protection.

Anglo American submitted an updated Natura assessment prepared by independent experts to the Lapland Council in February 2025. For the most recent Natura assessment, groundwater studies were further refined and the models were updated to reflect the permitted project alternative.

In the assessment prepared in accordance with the precautionary principle, it cannot be ruled out that fluctuations in the groundwater level may affect the most sensitive mire habitats and species on the western edge of the Natura area.

The Natura assessment has been carried out with sufficient accuracy

In its statement, The ELY Centre states that the assessment concerning the impact of the Sakatti multimetallic deposit mining project on the Viiankiaapa Natura 2000 area has been properly conducted and after the supplements made during the consultation process, is sufficient for the purposes of the Natura assessment.

According to the ELY Centre’s experts’ assessment, the groundwater modelling has been carried out in accordance with the precautionary principle. Both the modelling and the underlying studies are extensive and detailed. The uncertainties inherent in modelling have also been described at a sufficient level. However, the ELY-Centre considers that using available methods, the uncertainty related to the groundwater impact cannot be entirely eliminated from the Natura assessment.

Metsähallitus, representing the state landowner, also considers the Natura assessment to be extensive, clear in its presentation, and that the evaluations are unambiguous.

In its statement, the ELY-Centre has adopted a more cautious stance than the expert assessments, opting for the more conservative scenario presented in the evaluation. They conclude that the environmental impacts of the planned mining project could extend over a wider area and affect more habitat types and species than indicated in the expert analyses. Metsähallitus has reached a similar conclusion, but in its statement, it adds one additional habitat type on the western edge of the mire to the scope of the project's impacts.

"We are happy that the Natura assessment has thus been satisfactorily concluded. We are continuing to plan ecological impact compensation measures, including both Natura compensation and other related compensation schemes. This provides a solid foundation for moving forward with the permitting process”, says Pertti Lamberg, CEO of Anglo American's Finnish subsidiary.

“We are aiming at the next generation of FutureSmart mines - a highly automated, low-carbon underground operation with minimal surface footprint. We are also working with local stakeholders to find solutions for other project impacts, such as land use issues", he continues.

Minimizing environmental impacts is a central part of mine planning

The environmental impact assessment and Natura evaluations have identified measures to reduce the impacts of mining activities. A key impact minimization measure has been to leave a separate mineralization located northeast of the main deposit out of the mining plan. The groundwater in the area around the mining project has been studied extensively, through exceptionally robust sampling, monitoring and modelling. The new mining plan has managed to reduce the groundwater impact areas compared to previous plans.

Impacts are further minimized by transporting the ore extracted deep underground to be processed outside the protected area through an underground tunnel system that is over five kilometers long. The tunnels will be carefully sealed to minimize groundwater ingress. Nearly all the tailings from ore separation and the waste rock produced by excavation will be used to fill the mine backfill. Some low sulfur tailings not utilized in backfill will be dry-stacked outside the protected area.

Environmental impacts studied since 2009

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Natura evaluation, and mining and environmental permit applications for the project include baseline studies related to nature, water bodies, soil, and air quality. These studies have been conducted since 2009, both in the planned mining area and its surroundings.

For additional information, please contact:
Pertti Lamberg, CEO, Anglo American in Finland
tel. +358 40 128 3988, email: [email protected]

Ulla Syrjälä, Principal Safety & Sustainability Development, Anglo American in Finland,
tel. +358 40 480 1820, [email protected]

Joanna Kuntonen-van ’t Riet, Principal Corporate Affairs & Communications, Anglo American in Finland
tel. +348 40 160 2960, [email protected]