SMM7, 17 March: according to recent sources, the Finnish authorities have allocated 16 million euros to clean up the Hitura nickel mine, which has been closed and dormant since 2015 due to a lack of buyers.

The Hitura nickel mine in Nivala, northwest Finland, began mining and refining nickel and copper in 1965. The last owner of the mine, Belvedere Resources Ltd, owned by Canadians, went bankrupt at the end of 2015.

Four years ago, the (ELY) branch of the Transportation and Environment Center decided to close the mine because of economic development.

The Finnish Mining Act requires the rehabilitation, cleaning and landscaping of decommissioned mines, including their surrounding areas, and to comply with public safety laws. Activities related to mine closure and reclamation must be completed in the autumn of 2021.

At present, the second phase has begun, including covering the mine tailings reservoir, emptying the recycling pool and leveling the terrain, and the sludge from the mine will be transported to another pool.

It is reported that the mine covers an area of 60 hectares and needs to be repaired. Authorities say they believe the process will last two years.

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