Resumen de Nordic Mining case closed
The ESA, which monitors compliance with the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement) in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, received three complaints in 2015 over the permitting of tailings disposal for the Engebo rutile project in Norway. According to Nordic Mining's CEO, Ivar Fossum, one of the biggest challenges with the development of the Engebo rutile project has been the permitting of the deposit, particularly the permitting of the sea disposal of tailings. (Source: Nordic Mining) Fjord disposal The ESA's decision to close the complaints against Nordic Mining were subject to limitations, as the authority noted its review was limited to assessing whether the decision-making process was conducted within the requirements set out in the directive, and not to evaluate the merits of the project. According to the company there are only a handful of countries in a natural position to allow for the fjord depositing of tailings, Norway included, owing to the proximity of mines to fjords. Developing new tailings options The company has noted the future possibility of finding a use for around 20% of the tailings for the coverage of contaminated seabed sediments, or for use in shore line protection, the building of new land area, and as a raw material for concrete. Rutile and garnet production is expected to start in 2020 or early 2021 according to current schedules and the project is ideally located to target a deficit of titanium dioxide (TiO2) feedstock production in Europe.
