Mining Inspectorate is unable to decide on the Company’s application
On 29 June 2017, the Mining Inspectorate of Sweden returned the Company’s application for an Exploitation Concession for Kallak North back to the Government of Sweden. The Mining Inspectorate has asked the Government to decide who should determine what, if any, impact a mining operation at Kallak could have on Laponia.
It is understood that the Mining Inspectorate is unable to decide on the Company’s application, without an opinion from the County Administrative Board (“CAB”) for the County of Norrbotten on the matter of Laponia, and an opinion from the CAB on the Company’s application with respect to Chapters 3 and 4 of the Environmental Code.
On 1 October 2014, the CAB confirmed that the Company’s EIA was sufficient with respect to Chapters 3, 4 and 6 of the Environmental Code and, on 7 July 2015, the CAB wrote to the Government of Sweden indicating that the Company’s application could be permissible with respect to Chapters 3 and 4 of the Environmental Code. The CAB’s position must be interpreted as if the CAB has no objections to the granting of an Exploitation Concession.
Almost one year ago, on 1 July 2016, the Government asked the Mining Inspectorate of Sweden to review the Company’s application for an Exploitation Concession for Kallak North in the context of the Supreme Administrative Court (“SAC”) judgement in the case of the Norra Kӓrr project. The Mining Inspectorate has stated that the Company’s EIA is consistent, in the detail provided, in meeting the requirements of the SAC judgement.
“Our application is back with the Government of Sweden, almost 12 months after the Government asked the Mining Inspectorate to conduct a further review in respect of the Norra Kärr judgement, and matters relating to Laponia", Kurt Budge, CEO, commented.