The EuroMining Opening Seminar was held at the international mining technology trade fair EuroMining 2015 last week at the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre on Wednesday 20 May. The opening speech was given by Ari Juva, Secretary General of the Finnish Association of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. Now held for the second time, EuroMining is becoming more international with 127 exhibitors from 17 countries.
The EuroMining opening seminar included the presentation of the Environmental Contribution of the Year 2015 Award to Agnico Eagle Finland Oy’s Kittilä mine. Agnico Eagle Finland Oy engages actively in mineral exploration in Finland and other Nordic countries and the Kittilä mine owned by the company is the largest operating gold mine in Europe. The award recipient is selected by the EuroMining Delegation which this year consisted of Elias Ekdahl (Director General Emeritus), Mika Riipi (County Governor of the Regional Council of Lapland), Sakari Kallo (Chairman of the Finnish Association of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers) and Teija Lahti-Nuuttila (Director of the TEKES Green Mining programme). The award presented by Elias Ekdahl was accepted at the opening seminar by Anita Alajoutsijärvi, Agnico Eagle Finland Oy’s Manager of Sustainable Development.
“The Environmental Contribution of the Year Award is given to a mining industry operator that pays attention to environmental matters in an exemplary manner. The EuroMining 2015 Delegation has decided to give the award to Agnico Eagle Finland Oy’s Kittilä mine. Agnico Eagle has managed to build the Kittilä mine and put it into operation in a short period of time. The geologically promising project was a rather challenging equation from the perspective of mining and mineral processing technology, but the company managed to solve it successfully, simultaneously ensuring a high level of environmental protection. Agnico Eagle has added a human-centred aspect to the concept of sustainable mining and within a short period of time the company has achieved a position to which other mining companies in Finland are often compared. The mine has also been successful in terms of environmental protection and the development thereof, which has shown that mining can be carried out in a sustainable manner. The Kittilä mine is strongly committed to responsible mining, which refers to setting an example in caring for the environment, safety, personnel and the surrounding community, from the mine to the local residents and the entire region”, said Director General Emeritus Elias Ekdahl, who presented the award.
“It’s a great honour for us to receive this Environmental Contribution of the year 2015 award. It confirms to us that the measures we have taken, and the path we are on are the right ones. As well it encourages us to continue to strive to improve our mining operation in Finland. Sustainable mining is not only environment and safety management, it is also about good and open relations and a dialogue with the communities and all stakeholders. Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd is applying Sustainable Development Policies at all of its mines, in Canada, Mexico as well as in Finland. Agnico Eagle’s Kittilä mine is also involved in the Finnish Network for Sustainable Mining project, that has been initiated by the Finnish Innovation Fund, Sitra. The aim of the network is to develop a voluntary, national Sustainability Standard for the Finnish mines. The work is based on the Mine Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining initiative. Implementation of this standard shows that the Finnish mining industry wants to exceed legislation requirements, increase transparency as well as reporting to all stakeholders”, said Sustainable Development Manager Anita Alajoutsijärvi.
The Environmental Contribution of the Year Award was this year given for the second time. The first award was given at the EuroMining 2013 Trade Fair to drilling contractor Oy Kati Ab.
