Finns oppose mine plans in protected peatland

A clear majority of Finns oppose plans to establish a mine in the protected Viiankiaapa peatland in Sodankylä, according to a new survey commissioned by the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation and conducted by Verian.

In the online survey of 1,027 respondents, 69% said it was unacceptable to open a mine in Viiankiaapa, a Natura-protected area where Anglo American is planning the Sakatti multi-metal mine. The results were weighted to reflect national age, gender, regional, and party affiliation distributions.

Opposition was strongest among Social Democratic Party supporters, with 80% against the project, while support was highest among Finns Party backers, though 51% still opposed it. All parliamentary parties showed majority opposition among their voters.

Additionally, 82% of respondents agreed that mining in protected areas should not be permitted at all. The survey also found broad support for fair taxation of mining minerals.

The Lapland Regional Council has applied to the government for an exemption to allow the Sakatti mine under Viiankiaapa, which would require changes to peatland protection laws and an exception to its Natura status.