Media - Press Release

Interest in the Sakatti Project has been steadily growing, especially following its designation as an EU strategic project. Local residents are particularly interested in employment opportunities, land use, and environmental protection. This was clearly reflected in the turnout at the Open House event held on Saturday, August 16^th, attended by around 300 visitors.

“These open houses have become an annual tradition, and once again we were pleased with the great turnout,” says CEO Pertti Lamberg. “People came to learn more about our operations, meet our partners, and hear about the current status and future plans of the project.”

“For us, these events are incredibly valuable. They give us a chance to learn what matters most to the community. It’s also easier to address concerns face-to-face and show, in a more tangible way, the kinds of solutions we’re working on.”

One of the highlights of the day was Pertti Lamberg’s update on the project’s current status. The latest Natura assessment has been submitted to the zoning authorities last February, and preparations for the environmental permit application are underway.

Meanwhile, planning continues on the project’s feasibility and technical solutions. Each review phase takes a closer look at the available commercial and technical options. The current phase, known as Pre-Feasibility Study B, brings in additional international experts. The project already employs over 60 people.

A deep dive into the bedrock

As tradition goes, Sakatti’s teams showcased exploration and geotechnical research methods, along with samples of local rock types.

In a pre-event poll, the geology of the Sodankylä area was voted the most interesting lecture topic. Senior geologist Jussi Annanolli gave a hands-on presentation on the impact of tectonic plate movements and the geological cycle on bedrock rock types, and consequently on the geology of the Sodankylä area. The effects of tectonic plate movements on soil and bedrock layers and landforms were also illustrated using a specially built sandbox model.

Jussi Annanolli showcasing rock samples from the Sakatti Project area.

From South Africa to Oulu and Sodankylä

Among the guests was Neels van Niekerk, who leads the technical design of the Sakatti project. He visited Sodankylä for the first time with his family, having recently relocated to the Sakatti Oulu office in Finland from South Africa.

”It’s very important to bring the community closer to mining. Days like this enable us to work in more technical roles to get closer to the community to share what we are doing, and to listen to our stakeholders. This builds trust”, says Neels van Niekerk

Neels shared how impressed he’s been by Finland’s natural beauty and the way nature is woven into everyday life.

Pertti and Neels presenting on the Sakatti Project.

“In much of the rest of the world, we live somewhere and try to find or create nature around us. Once you come to the site and spend time in Finland, you realize how the environment and nature are not just something you enjoy on the weekend. You live it interactively on a daily basis”, he says.

“In Finland, nature is brought into the home. That explains why Finnish people are so adamant about the need to protect the environment. For the Finns, the environment is much more important than it is in many other parts of the world.”

Family-friendly event

Beyond sharing information, the Sakatti Open House aims to be a local meeting place and a fun event for families. The Open House offered plenty of activities for children.

Treasure hunt in the forested yard area using metal detectors has remained popular year after year. Kids also enjoyed the visiting magician’s performances, which were featured in the program for the first time.

The movement of tectonic plates illustrated with a sandbox eventually fascinated visitors of all ages.