Hi all!
Here is a little more insight. I actually wanted to write a detailed analysis, but I won't now. Read for yourself.
S in Kiruna against new mine: "Colonization must stop"
In the spring of 2022, Talga test drilled for graphite in the Nunasvaara area outside Vittangi. In April 2023, Talga received the green light from the Land and Environment Court to open a graphite mine outside Vittangi and mine 100,000 tons of ore each year.
Kiruna municipality says no to a graphite mine in Vittangi. Now the question lies with the government, which can force the municipality to say yes.
- That provision has basically never been used, says Maria Petterson, professor of jurisprudence at Luleå University of Technology.
Kiruna municipality is getting ready to say no to the mining company Talga's establishment of a graphite mine in the village of Vittangi. The municipal board's working committee proposes that the municipal board does not proceed with the detailed planning process for the mine establishment, something that
P4 Norrbotten was the first to report on.
Kiruna's municipal councilor Mats Taaveniku (S) tells DN that the mine is too short-term to risk the environmental values in the area, and that the municipality wants more out of the mine.
- We deliver welfare to the whole of Sweden, although we have to cut back on our own welfare. We will be skeptical of new mines until we receive compensation.
A detailed plan regulates how the municipality's land is to be used. The mining company Talga does not think that the municipality has worked quickly enough in deciding on the detailed plan. During March, they therefore submitted a request for a planning order to the government. The company wants the government to force Kiruna municipality to adopt a new detailed plan.
- Talga has preceded our planning process and then we think it is just as well that we cancel the planning process, says Mats Taaveniku.
If Talga opens a mine in Vittangi, the concentrated graphite from the mining area will be shipped to Luleå. There, they want to manufacture anodes, which are an important component in electric car batteries. In September 2023, the first sod was broken for Talgas' battery anode factory in Luleå, where, among others, Minister of Labor Markets and Integration Johan Pehrson participated.
Talga wants to mine 100,000 tons of graphite ore every year in an open pit mine. The lifespan is estimated at around 25 years and can provide around 60 direct jobs for Vittangi. Something that Mats Taaveniku does not think is necessary.
- We have a thousand vacant jobs in Kiruna. Talga is not prepared to build housing in Svappavaara and Vittangi to reduce fly in fly out staff.
The EU has singled out graphite as an important component for the industry of the future. Among other things, graphite can be used in car batteries. Talgas press communicator Cen Rolfsson highlights the graphite in Vittangi as a "key role in coping with the green transition", in a written comment to DN.
"Therefore, it is sad that the municipality tries to use the planning monopoly to stop the project, and uses a single company as a pawn in a game with the government. We also experience broad support among the municipality's residents."
Cen Rolfsson further writes that he thinks it is "remarkable that representatives from a municipality are sniffing at new and prestigious job opportunities" but that they understand the challenges the municipality is facing.
"Talga aims to be an active and positive force in Vittangi and the entire municipality. But we will not build housing in exchange for getting the municipality to do its job."
Kiruna's municipal councilor Mats Taaveniku (S) thinks that the plans for Talga's graphite mine are too short-term to risk the environmental values of Vittangi.
Municipalities have a veto when it comes to wind power establishments, something similar does not exist for mining establishments. However, the municipalities have great opportunities to decide how the land is to be used through the so-called municipal planning monopoly.
Maria Pettersson, professor of jurisprudence at Luleå University of Technology, says that the municipalities' influence over land use is relatively strong in Sweden.
- But there is a provision in the Planning and Building Act that enables the government to instruct the municipality to adopt a detailed plan. That provision has basically never been used. But legally it is quite possible.
She emphasizes that it is more common in countries such as England and Denmark for municipalities to be ordered to plan, for example for wind power investments.
Mats Taaveniku (S) says that Kiruna cannot afford to "lead the transformation".
- We already have debts of 2.7 billion. Somewhere there must be a stop to the colonization of northern Sweden, he says and continues:
- It is not that we are not positive about mines. But there must be a change in the distribution policy in Sweden, it is not acceptable that the state collects billions while we do not get a penny back.
DN is looking for representatives from the government.
Facts. The graphite mine in Vittangi
The EU lists graphite as one of the 27 materials necessary for the transition. The EU also wants to break the dependence on China, which today is the world leader in graphite mining.
In April this year, Talga received the green light from the Land and Environment Court to open a graphite mine outside Vittangi and mine 100,000 tonnes of ore each year. The plan is to have mining running six months a year.
The mining plans have been met with criticism from Sami villages and several nature organisations. Affected Sámi villages have demonstrated that the mine would mean major encroachments on pastures and migration routes."
Kiruna kommun säger nej till gruvbolaget Talgas grafitgruva i Vittangi.
www.dn.se
What is your opinion? I look forward to your comments.
So a week from now. Thank you! That is very nice to know 
