The handling of the uranium recovery permit for the Terrafame mine seems to remain a task for the next Finnish government, according to the country's print media.
At the moment, the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority's opinion is waiting for the authorization process. Jussi Heinonen, Director of the Unit for Nuclear Waste and Materials, commented on the Green Wire that drafting the opinion is in the final phase. Heinonen estimates that he will be ready in a month or a half.
Subsequently, the application goes to the Nuclear Safety Advisory Board, with an estimated time of one month.
- It is a matter for the Ministry of Employment and the Economy to see how this goes with parliamentary elections, Heinonen said to the newspaper.
Parliamentary elections are held after a month and a half. Liisa Heikinheimo, a CEE industrial adviser interviewed by media, says that the issue "depends largely on when the license comes from Stuk".
- It is still possible that the permit will come to this government. It is also possible that it will go to the next. I'm not guessing any more.
In mid-January, Heikinheimo said to MTV that there were no significant obstacles to the start-up of the uranium separation plant and that he said it was a "good understanding".
Terrafame's uranium recovery plant would be Finland's first of its kind. Terrafame has applied for permission in autumn 2017. The government will decide on the license.
So far, the decisive shift in licensing to the next government is a mystery.
For example, the Green Party have opposed the granting of a uranium recovery permit to Terrafame's predecessor, Talvivaara, for the last time on the board.
Originally, Terrafame's goal was for the government to grant permission no later than autumn 2018, one year after the application was filed.
Nature conservation organizations in Kainuu are opposed to granting a permit. The municipality of Sotkamo welcomes it dearly.
