The mining company Sydvaranger has been authorized to resume production of iron ore in northern Norway near the city of Kirkenes, says the Barents Observer (moving to another service).
The company plans to reopen the iron mine next to 2,500 inhabitants in the city of Bjørnevatn. The mine, which is more than a hundred years old, has been closed unprofitable twice: first in 1997 and again in 2015.
Sydvaranger has already received permission from the Norwegian Government to open the mine, but it was not satisfied with the permit conditions. Now the license conditions satisfy the mining company.
In an interview with Barents Observer, Peter Steiness, Larsen, Chairman of the Mining Company, promises that the company will start producing ore in the spring of 2020.
The mining company aims to extract up to 45 million cubic meters of iron ore in the open pit until 2038. The mine employs around 400 people.
The environmental impact of the mining project is significant. The mine can lower a large number of side stones, enrichment sand and other enrichment waste into the nearby Bøkfjord fjord.
In addition, up to 400 million tonnes of rock are removed from the iron ore to access the iron ore.
