Mining Company Started Test Drilling Without Necessary Permits
Blue Moon Metals blasted the entrance to the mine in Repparfjorden on June 12th. (Photo: Blue Moon Metals)
On June 16th, Canadian Blue Moon Metals announced that it had started underground construction of the Nussir mine in Finnmark and thereby completed its first blast ahead of schedule. Shortly after, all operations were paused until further notice.
Nussir ASA has worked for 20 years toward operating a copper mine in Repparfjorden, Hammerfest municipality in Northern Norway. The plan was for the mining waste to be dumped in the fjord, leading to major protests from environmental organisations and the reindeer husbandry industry.
This has contributed to difficulties in securing financing.
In November 2024, Nussir ASA and Nye Sulitjelma gruver in Fauske municipality were acquired and merged with the Canadian company Blue Moon Metals. This provided access to capital and prospects for accruing on future projects.
The Fiettár reindeer grazing district is located in the area Blue Moon Metals seeks to mine in Repparfjord. Last week, the mining company blasted the mountain for the first time, in the middle of the reindeer's calving season. Blasting has now been temporarily paused, reports NRK.
Lacks permits
The Fiettár reindeer grazing district believes Blue Moon Metals is short of a few permits before they can blast. Flettàr and Young Friends of the Earth Norway (NU) have met with Blue Moon Metals on Monday, says the reindeer grazing district's lawyer, Jon-Andreas Lange, to NRK.
"This is because the company has, to our knowledge, started test drilling without having all permits in place. The company asked for time to clarify this."
Awaiting clarification.
The reindeer owners and NU demanded a halt in the work until this has been clarified. According to Lange, this was accepted.
Therefore, a temporary injunction was not sent to the district court, as was previously notified.
Planning a protest
The reindeer grazing district and NU, which also participated in the meeting through lawyer Tine Larsen, are now awaiting clarification from Blue Moon.
A NU group traveled to Repparfjorden on Sunday to be prepared to stop the construction work, writes IFinnmark. The protest will start as soon as the construction work continues.
The first blast in the mine took place on June 12th.
