Media - Press Release

The impact of mine water management on water bodies, the needs of reindeer husbandry, and accountability for project impacts were key concerns among attendees when the Regional Council of Lapland presented the preparatory materials for the Sakatti Project’s phased regional land use plan at the Sodankylä municipal office on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

The phased regional land use plan for Sakatti outlines the general framework for how land use related to the mining project will be organized within the municipality of Sodankylä.

“In the planning process, we aim to consider the needs of the Sakatti Project, residential areas, infrastructure, environmental protection, landscape values, as well as reindeer husbandry and other livelihoods. Balancing these diverse interests is not always easy,” said Ulla Syrjälä, principal for Safety & Sustainable Development, responsible for permitting of the project.

The purpose of the phased regional land use plan is to amend the current Northern Lapland Regional Land Use Plan 2040 within the Sodankylä area. The planning work is limited to land use related to the mining project; other needs are not being addressed at this stage.

The phased regional plan will later be refined through more detailed municipal-level plans. These will specify, for example, transportation routes, the location of utility lines, and certain solutions related to nature, landscape, and the built cultural environment.

Planning process invites public participation

“The entire planning process spans several years. Many may recall that the Regional Council of Lapland announced the initiation of the Sakatti phased regional land use plan back in September 2020. At that time, the participation and assessment scheme (PAS) was made available for public review, and initial feedback was collected,” explains Ulla Syrjälä.

The participation and assessment scheme has since been updated twice as the planning has progressed.

“The presentation held at the Sodankylä municipal office was part of the second feedback phase of the regional planning process, during which the draft plan was presented to the public. The easiest way to participate in the planning is through these types of public presentations and discussion events.”

Stakeholders include landowners in the area and those whose living conditions, work, or other circumstances may be significantly affected by the plan. Additionally, authorities and organizations whose areas of responsibility are addressed in the planning are considered stakeholders. The Regional Council of Lapland is requesting statements on the plan from these parties.

Once the planning work is completed, the draft plan will be made publicly available. At that stage, stakeholders will have another opportunity to submit formal comments.

Read more on the Regional Council of Lapland’s website:

Sakatti Project's Phased regional land use plan (in Finnish)