Swedish Minerals completes first uranium drilling phase in Eno

Swedish Minerals has completed the first phase of uranium exploration drilling in the Riutta area of Eno, North Karelia, and plans to present its findings before the end of the year, Yle reports.

The company has used about one kilometre of its two-kilometre drilling permit. The Eastern Finland Administrative Court has not yet ruled on an appeal against the exploration, but an interim decision in September allowed drilling to continue.

People opposing the work have raised concerns on social media that a closed-circulation drilling method failed and that a potentially harmful substance reached the environment. Geologist Jukka-Pekka Ranta, who represents Swedish Minerals in Eno, said a drilling additive was found in a patch measuring about 40 centimetres square. He denied claims that it posed a risk to waterways.

The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency, known as Tukes, said the drilling had complied with the permit and proceeded as planned. Ranta said concerns about the additive had also been reported to the rescue service, local environmental authorities and police. The company has submitted safety data sheets for the substance to Tukes, the rescue service and the administrative court.

Ranta said the additive is biodegradable and is used to stabilise drill holes. He also said the company had arranged security at the drilling locations because of local interference, an unusual measure for exploration work.

Swedish Minerals plans to hold a public meeting in Eno later this year to present the sample results and outline its next steps.