According to the ruling, Kuusamo city in North Eastern Finland, cannot restrict mining in the master plan approved by Kuusamo city council three years earlier.
Pro Kuusamo's public movement fears that the decision may have a negative impact on nature tourism in the area.
- It was a sad decision. The mine will undoubtedly affect the unique nature in a negative way, says the famous nature photographer Hannu Hautala who is chairman of the board of Pro Kuusamo.
The Australian 66-hole Cobalt mining company plans to extract cobalt and gold in Juomasuo, which is only 10-12 kilometres away from the popular ski resort of Ruka. According to Pro Kuusamo, opinion polls that have been done in the region show that over 70 per cent of the population opposes mining.
- It is quite obvious that the mine will contaminate the area in the form of mining dust and chemical substances that can be transported via watercourses, for example via Kitkajoki.
The Australian mining company Latitude 66 Cobalt plans to extract cobalt and gold near Ruka in Kuusamo.
According to the ruling, the city cannot restrict mining to the extent that the master plan requires. The Supreme Administrative Court refers to the provisions of the Mining Act, the Nature Conservation Act and the Land and Building Acts in its justification.
