Mines in Gotland, Sweden given the go-ahead

The limestone quarrying divides opinion on Gotland. (Daniel Värjö/SR)
The limestone quarrying divides opinion on Gotland. (Daniel Värjö/SR)
A controversial mine on the Swedish island of Gotland has been given permission to quarry for another 25 years.

The Nordkalk company faced having its permission to mine limestone end after just one more year. It had already told most of its staff they would lose their jobs.

Now the land and environmental court has given Nordkalk the go-ahead for another 25 years, in a new mine at Ducker in Bunge.

This move is opposed by green protestors and by the county council, the Environmental Protection Agency and the sea and water agency.

The limestone mine is in a protected area, and there are also fears the mine will pollute drinking water.

The court also gave permission to mining firm SMA Mineral, to expand its existing mine.

The decisions are expected to be appealed.

Related stories from around the Arctic:

Canada: Where Arctic camels once roamed, coal mining can wait, CBC News

Finland: Mining claims made in Finland’s nature parks, Yle News

Greenland: Analysis: Implications of Greenland’s decision to allow uranium mining, Blog by Mia Bennett

Norway:  Sustainable future for Arctic people?, from Deutsche Welle’s Iceblogger

Sweden:  Hundreds demonstrate against mining in Arctic Sweden, Radio Sweden

Russia: Russian-Backed Mining Firm Bound for Yukon, Canada, CBC News

United States: New interactive map details Alaska mining boom, Alaska Dispatch

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