Talvivaara mine and water pollution: An analysis of mining conflict in Finland

• Published in: The extractive industries and society Vol. 4; no. 3; pp. 640 - 651
• Main Authors: Sairinen, Rauno, Tiainen, Heidi, Mononen, Tuija
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2017
• Subjects: Environmental conflict; Mining conflict; Mining policy; Mining protests; Natural resources conflicts; Responsible mining; Sustainable mining; Water pollution; Responsible mining; Mining protests; Environmental conflict; Sustainable mining; Water pollution; Natural resources conflicts; Mining policy; Mining conflict
• ISSN: 2214-790X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exis.2017.05.001

•Policy analysis of the Talvivaara mine’s water pollution problems in Finland as a conflict process.•The policy analysis divides the conflict case process into six stages following the classical Pondy’s model.•Through the Talvivaara case, the industry has learned a great deal about what mining and its impacts mean in contemporary society and the need to improve its environmental and social responsibility. This article contributes to the growing literature on natural resource management conflicts and mineral related environmental conflicts in particular, focusing on the case of the Talvivaara project in Finland. The economic and environmental impacts of this mine became a key focus of Finnish politics during 2010–12. Its performance has sparked a heated discussion about the legitimacy of the mining industry and its place in Finnish society. The paper analyses the Talvivaara crisis as a process, which began as a local environmental conflict but would become a symbol of national conflict in the mining industry. The policy analysis presented here is informed by Pondy’s Model of Organisational Conflict.