Non-Governamental Non-Governamental Organizations, Local People Organizations, Local People and Uranium Exploration in and Uranium Exploration in

Finland Finland

Toni T. EerolaToni T. EerolaNamura Finland OyNamura Finland Oy

FinlandFinland

Uranium Exploration in FinlandUranium Exploration in Finland

• Climate change• Nuclear power• High prices of uranium;• Several U-showings;• Good infrastructure;• Political and economic stability;• Good basic geodata;• Foreign companies - exploration boom.

Uranium Uranium showings in showings in Finland and Finland and claim claim applications applications by Namura by Namura Finland Oy Finland Oy

PAUKKAJAPAUKKAJA

PASKONKALLIOPASKONKALLIO

The Anatomy of a ChallengeThe Anatomy of a Challenge

• Lack of Information;• Lack of Communication;• Fear; • Political and Economic Interests;• Anti-Nuclear Power and Anti-Globalisation Movement;• Rise of Local Resistance;• Association of Former Anti-Conservationists;• Media (misinformation);• Conspiracy theories;• Pseudo-Patriotic Populism;• Nation-Wide Anti-Uranium Organization;• International NGOs;• Green Party; • Controversial role of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Lack of informationLack of information

• Confusion;• Panic;• Exploration=Mine (atomic bomb?);• Terminology (”valtaus”=occupation,

conquest);• Environmental damage;• Use of worst international examples;• Radon problem.

How to (try to) resolve it?How to (try to) resolve it?

• Openess;• Contact local people and landowners;• Contact Municipality administrations;• Contact NGOs;• Open channel for dialogue;• Inform media;• Supply information on geology, exploration and mining;• Finance nature/geotourism projects• Good image of company• Avoid areas of nature conservation, and dense

population;• New mining law?

(Possible) Consequences(Possible) Consequences

+ Public debate on geology, exploration and mining;+ Radon-problem is debated and investigated;+ Dialogue between geologists and NGOs;+ More attention on environment, information, and local

people by mining companies;

+/-Review of Mining Law;

- Reflections on all exploration and even geological mapping;

- No claims, no uranium exploration in Finland?;- Finland unattractive for mining investments?

””Get up, stand up, Get up, stand up, stand up for your rightstand up for your right

and don’t give up the fightand don’t give up the fight””Bob MarleyBob Marley

Thank you!Thank you!