December 18, 2020

The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) for Lapland gave its approval for the commissioning of the Kittilä mine’s discharge pipeline today. The construction of the pipeline was a significant investment, which will reduce the environmental impact of our operations even further.

From now on, the treated process water and groundwater removed from the mine will be released into the main branch of the river Loukinen, and the Seurujoki is no longer exposed to a direct environmental burden. All the water will be treated, and its quantity and quality before release into the discharge pipe will be monitored.

In 2016–2020, we have invested in environmental protection to the tune of 80 million euros.  A significant share of this amount has been allocated to projects related to water treatment, such as the water-treatment facility commissioned in 2016. Thanks to that facility, we succeeded in reducing the sulfate content of the discharge water by 75%, which helps us halve the sulfate load caused by the water released into the environment.

Under the terms of the environmental and water permit granted to us in May, we must make new environmental investments. One of these investments involves the construction of a nitrogen removal facility, with the work planned to begin in 2021.  The commissioning is slated for 2022.

For further information, please contact:

Environmental Superintendent Jaakko Saukkoriipi
Tel.: +358 50 439 0122
E-mail: jaakko.saukkoriipi@agnicoeagle.com