Metsähallitus has joined the Network for Sustainable Mining. The Network is a forum for discussion and cooperation between the mining industry and its stakeholders. It develops and customises the right tools for Finland for the promotion of more responsible and more sustainable mining, and to exploit the synergies between industries and businesses and prevent conflict.
Metsähallitus manages Finnish lands and waters, an area of more than 13 million hectares. The areas of land are largely concentrated in northern and eastern Finland, which is where the main mining activities are and where too a lot of prospecting is now going on.
“The Network for Sustainable Mining is evolving concrete approaches, solutions and practices to improve the processes associated with mining and prospecting,” says Mika Hytönen, Aggregate and Mining Resources Manager at Metsähallitus. “Our involvement in the Network means that we are taking responsibility for the way mining and related matters are developed in Finland,” Hytönen explains.
“The Network and Metsähallitus are both keen to see Finland become a trailblazer in the area of sustainable mining, with the industry taking due account of natural values, the cultural and social environment and other industries and businesses,” he says.
The lands for which Metsähallitus is responsible face a lot of challenges: from mining, but also as regards other land use issues. “We and our stakeholders want to promote a form of management that is as seamless as possible. Besides the mining industry, the Network consists, for example, of various local authorities, the Finnish Reindeer Herders’ Association, the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation and the WWF, so it is an excellent forum for debate.”
The Network tries to ensure that all its members have a voice, that their opinions are appreciated, and that they can influence the way the Network operates.
“Joining the Network is a step towards achieving the objectives that Metsähallitus has under its corporate responsibility programme. We feel that the Network is a good place to raise awareness of the country’s land and the way it is used,” says Hytönen
“Metsähallitus is welcome as a member of the Network, because it provides more links between the Network and other industries, businesses and stakeholders,’says Eero Yrjö-Koskinen of the Network for Sustainable Mining. ‘It is important that Metsähallitus can also make its views known in any discussions on mining and prospecting. Its importance for the regional economy and employment is huge, especially in the north of Finland.”
The Network is chaired by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment Hannele Pokka. Its vice-chair is Anne Ollila of the Finnish Reindeer Herders’ Association, and its Secretary General is Eero Yrjö-Koskinen. Mika Hytönen represents Metsähallitus on the Network’s Board.
Further information
Aggregate and Mining Resources Manager at Metsähallitus, Mika Hytönen, Metsähallitus Property Development, 0 722 4417, mika.hytonen@metsa.fi
Secretary General of the Network, Eero Yrjö-Koskinen, 050 347 8778, eyk@kaivosvastuu.fi
Read more about the Network at: Kaivosvastuu.fi