Finnish miner challenges Google data centre plans over critical metals

Finnish mining company Otanmäki Mine has appealed plans for Google data centres in Otanmäki, arguing that the development could hinder future mining in an area containing metals classified as critical by the European Union, Yle reports.

Google plans to build data centres in Otanmäki as part of a 13 billion euro investment across four Finnish locations. Otanmäki Mine says the zoning for the data centre area could prevent its mining project from going ahead in the future.

The area includes part of the former Vuorokas mine, which operated for five years more than 40 years ago. The company appealed both the detailed plan and the partial master plan during the summer.

Otanmäki Mine does not own the land, which belongs to Google subsidiary Tuike Finland. However, it holds a valid exploration permit covering the property.

The company says the Vuorokas deposit could still contain several tonnes of mineable material because production ended after only five years. According to Otanmäki Mine’s exploration permit application, the deposit could contain nine tonnes of ore to a depth of just over half a kilometre.

The Geological Survey of Finland says the deposit’s total potential is not yet known precisely. It is known to continue to a depth of at least two kilometres.

Otanmäki Mine has referred to the EU regulation on critical raw materials. The area contains vanadium, which increases the strength of steel, and ilmenite, a raw material for titanium. Both are included on the EU’s list of critical raw materials.

The company argues that the City of Kajaani should have assessed the former Vuorokas mining area’s potential for mining and considered including zoning provisions that would allow mining to take place.

Kajaani does not seek mining in the area

The City of Kajaani considers the appeals unfounded and says it has the right to decide how its land is planned and used.

In its statement to the administrative court, the city says it is not seeking mining operations in Otanmäki. It therefore argues that it was not required to investigate how mining could be accommodated in the area.

Otanmäki Mine Chief Executive Jouko Jylänki said the company would not comment on the appeals while they are being considered by the administrative court. The company’s views are set out in documents connected to the appeals.

Otanmäki was home to Finland’s largest iron ore mine, which operated from 1953 to 1985. The mine produced iron pellets, vanadium pentoxide, ilmenite and pyrite. Otanmäki Mine was established in 2012 and has sought to restore mining operations in the area.

The former mining town has about 700 residents and is located approximately 37 kilometres from central Kajaani.