Norway greenlights copper mine that will dump two million tons of tailings in Arctic fjord each year – “Dumping of mining waste will kill every living thing on the ocean floor in the immediate area and disturb spawning grounds over a much greater distance”

In northernmost Norway, the Repparfjord mining project has triggered controversies. These people protested when minister Torbjørn Røe Isaksen (to the right) visited Kvalsund municipality. Photo: Thomas Nilsen / The Barents Observer — In northernmost Norway, the Repparfjord mining project has triggered controversies. These people protested when minister Torbjørn Røe Isaksen (to the right) visited Kvalsund municipality. Photo: Thomas Nilsen / *The Barents Observer*

ByThomas Nilsen
30 November 2019

(The Barents Observer) – “Allowing this to happen with a protected national salmon fjord doesn’t make sense at all,” said Silje Lundberg, head of Naturvernforbundet. The organisation is the Norwegian branch of Friends of the Earth.

Lundberg said the planned dumping of tailings from the copper mine to the fjord is equivalent to 17 lorry loads every hour of production. In total, that sums up to two million tons of tailings every year.

The Norwegian government on Friday turned down the protests and gave final thumbs up to Nussir mining company to start exploring the resources, estimated to about 72 million tons of copper ore.

Located on the shores of Repparfjord, an hour drive from the town of Hammerfest, the mine will be the northernmost on mainland Europe.

“Dumping of mining waste will kill every living thing on the ocean floor in the immediate area and disturb spawning grounds over a much greater distance. Scientists have repeatedly warned against dumping. This decision shows conclusively that the government does not take the fight to conserve ocean life seriously, and would rather prioritize short-term profit over conservation and sustainability,” added Ask Lundberg.

Repparfjord is near the northernmost point of Norway. On 30 November 2019, Norway greenlit a copper mine that will dump two million tons of tailings in Arctic fjord each year. Photo: Thomas Nilsen / The Barents Observer — Repparfjord is near the northernmost point of Norway. On 30 November 2019, Norway greenlit a copper mine that will dump two million tons of tailings in Arctic fjord each year. Photo: Thomas Nilsen / *The Barents Observer*

Minister of Trade and Industry, Torbjørn Røe Isaksen, previously said to the Barents Observer that the mining indeed would have impacts, but he assures it will be done in accordance with “very high environmental standards.” […]

A 2017-report by the World Bank about the global need for metals for a low carbon future said demand for copper is expected to jump by as much as 50 percent over the next 20 years alone.

Electric vehicles, increased renewable energy sources and energy efficiency all require significant amounts of copper to function.

Minister Røe Isaksen said the mine in Repparfjord “is needed for the green shift to tackle climate changes.” [more]

Norway greenlights copper mine with tailings to be dumped in Arctic fjord