Viscaria and Laevas Sami village have entered into a cooperation agreement to enhance both mining operations and reindeer husbandry in the Viscaria area. As part of the agreement, the parties have agreed on the compensation to be paid for the impact of the mining operations on the reindeer husbandry and that the Laevas Sami village withdraws its appeal against Viscaria's environmental permit.
“I am very pleased we have reached an agreement, and we look forward to collaborating with Laevas Sami village to ensure good conditions for both mining and reindeer husbandry. We continue our efforts to reopen the mine by 2026,” says Jörgen Olsson, CEO of Viscaria.
"Laevas Sami village has made a significant and challenging decision today by choosing to enter into a cooperation agreement with Viscaria. We look forward to a positive dialogue with the company moving forward," says Niila Inga, Chairman of Laevas Sami village.
The agreement establishes fundamental principles for future cooperation, characterized by openness, trust, and respect for each other's interests. The parties will collaborate to avoid or minimize the impact of mining on reindeer husbandry and take measures to achieve this.
Despite these measures, some impact will be unavoidable, and the agreement specifies how Laevas will be compensated for this and also allows them to partake in the value development of the mining operations (so-called benefit sharing). The initial term of the cooperation agreement is 15 years, after which it can be extended by the parties. Laevas also retains the right to terminate the agreement early.
For more information about the appeals against the judgment of the Land and Environment Court in the environmental permitting process, please see to the company's permit portal at www.viscaria.se.