Terrafame submitted its application to the Finnish government for a permit to recover uranium

Multi-metal company Terrafame Ltd. has submitted its application to the Finnish government for a permit to recover uranium, in accordance with the Finnish Nuclear Energy Act (990/1987). The company announced its intention to apply for the permit on 25 October 2017.

In Terrafame’s production process, natural uranium is also leached from the ore, alongside other metals, but the uranium is not currently being recovered. According to Terrafame, recovering and commercialising uranium would be economically justified and would increase the efficiency of using natural resources in the company’s mining activities.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will next announce Terrafame’s application and request statements from for example neighboring municipalities and various ministries and authorities. Private persons and communities will also have a chance to be heard during the processing of the application. Additionally, the Ministry of Employment and Economic Affairs will arrange an open public hearing event in Sotkamo on Tuesday 7 November at 6 pm at Vuokatti Sport Academy, Iso-Pölly auditorium, ball hall (address: Opistontie 4).

In addition to the government’s permission, starting uranium recovery requires approval from the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, a uranium sales permit from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as well as a permit from the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) to transport uranium abroad for processing. Terrafame already has the chemical permit from the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) as well as the environmental permit granted in 2014.

If the government grants the permit, Terrafame estimates that uranium recovery could commence towards the end of 2019.

Terrafame’s press release 25 October 2017:
Terrafame has decided to apply the Finnish government for a permit to recover uranium
Download photos from Terrafame's image bank

Media contacts in Terrafame:
Joni Lukkaroinen, CEO of Terrafame Ltd., joni.lukkaroinen(at)terrafame.fi
Katri Kauppila, Chief Communications Officer, Terrafame Ltd., katri.kauppila(at)terrafame.fi

Ministry of Employment and Economic Affairs:
Terrafame applies the government for uranium recovery licence

Terrafame Ltd. is a Finnish multi-metal company producing nickel, zinc and cobalt at its mine and metals production plant located in Sotkamo. Our aim is to conduct environmentally sustainable, safe and profitable operations.