Topic for the bar and perhaps of general interest. It's about the debate in society and how influencers try to paint a false picture. In this case about Kaunis.
This was also often the case with Beowulf and Kallak. Many reacted in horror because they believed what was reported. I remember the fourteen year old girl who predicted the flood and doom if the mine would be allowed. With Beowulf, you could only read the counterstatement at Svemin.
In some of the popular press some paints their own picture driven by some influencers or, as is suggested here, liars. Kaunis got the permit also because of pressure from society, they wanted the mine. Now Kaunis is trying to correct the image that a few have placed in people's minds.
I go to the bar because it's a political thing and they are fighting as dirty as they can. You know my opinion. Protect the nature and not your own self interest. But make up your own mind.
"Kaunis Iron: Lies that overlook a billion in concrete societal benefit
March 23, 2022 at 09:27
A deeply incorrect picture of the mining industry's economic impact on the local community and Sweden is being spread in the media debate right now.
In some descriptions, the mining industry is said to be short-term and that the profits are taken out of the region and even out of the country. That the tax revenue is missing.
It is a directly incorrect description of reality. Partly perhaps due to ignorance of how the Swedish tax system works, partly perhaps because they intentionally want to undermine the legitimacy of our business.
Let us therefore report the impact of Kaunis Iron's operations in just one year, which was recently summed up in 2021.
During the calendar year 2021, our business generated:
- SEK 369,254,873 in tax and fee payments to the Swedish state through corporation tax, payroll tax, fuel tax, social security contributions, etc.
- SEK 182,444,666 in salary payments, which our employees then spent on purchasing goods and services in the local community.
- SEK 504,175,302 in purchases of goods and services locally and regionally.
Of course, these 1,055 million that we deliver in the next stage also generate tax revenue and growth in the form of jobs and additional investments and purchases.
Of course, this is an economic engine that strengthens the local community and the region.
If we look at Pajala municipality, we can see that our Swedish tax equalization system, the solidarity system that ensures that rich municipalities help the poorer, pays out about 280 million to Pajala. If we put it in relation to the 369 million we pay directly to the state, Pajala is thus no longer a contributing region, but on the contrary to the net effect a contributing region. Of course, we should be proud of that together.
Let us also look at the other societal effects. Our business has of course given many Pajala residents jobs, we have also recruited from other parts of the country and the world, which has generated an influx. That the population development for 2021 lands on a plus of seven people in Pajala may not look so impressive, but then one must also understand the demographics and the historical development in Pajala. It is a clear positive trend break that in comparison with equivalent sparsely populated municipalities is unparalleled.
If we look at the unemployment figures, we also see that Pajala stands out, despite the pandemic's negative impact, unemployment continues to decline and is today at historically low levels. The current figure is 2.3 percent, which is 2.2 percentage points lower than it was in 2020.
This reasoning, this arithmetic exercise, is of course an equation that is equally relevant to perform for Kiruna and Gällivare and Norrbotten and Västerbotten linked to, among others, LKAB and Boliden. This societal benefit must of course also be taken into account for the new mining establishments that are planned in Sweden.
If we also raise the issue to the national level, our sector is also a significant part of our country's export industry with multi-billion revenues that strengthen our country and our welfare.
A mine establishment may cause debate, it is perfectly reasonable, of course, but let us once and for all dispel the fog curtains and the pure lies that our industry does not generate societal benefits and economic sustainability. It is directly wrong to say this. The serious thing is that this misinformation risks giving the public a distorted picture of reality and in the next step lead to completely wrong conclusions and decisions. Therefore, facts must be allowed to speak their clear language.
And for those who still doubt: We take that debate anywhere, anytime.
Anders Sundström
Chairman of the Board, Kaunis Iron
Klas Dagertun vd
, Kaunis Iron"
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added:
I don't want there to be a false impression. Beowulf is not an innocent lamb, they work with tax havens and with a lobbying agency. I just want to show how dirty both sides are fighting. I hope and think we will be spared that.
