DILACOMI is a joint research project of the University of Lapland, the University of Oulu, and the Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla). It focuses on the acceptability of mining in local communities, the combining of mining and nature-based livelihoods, and the views of tourists on mining.

The survey indicates that a large number of permanent residents in Kittilä, Kolari, and Muonio have a positive attitude toward their local mine. Temporary residents have a more negative view on the issue.

Most permanent and temporary residents feel that they can express their mine-related views freely. However, they do not believe in their personal contribution to mine-related decision making. Temporary residents feel that it is difficult to participate in the process of social impact assessment.

The respondents regard the mining company as reliable. Facts publicized by the mining companies were considered reliable, but the extent of the information was criticized.

"Most of the permanent residents feel that the mine has a positive effect on their wellbeing. Roughly one-third of the permanent residents consider the effect completely neutral and eight percent consider it negative. One-third of the temporary residents feel that the mine has negative effects", says researcher Marika Kunnari from the University of Lapland.

Both permanent and temporary residents call for provisions concerning the mining companies and municipalities. Permanent residents require that Finns and local people be prioritized when hiring employees. Open communication was considered to be important. The municipalities are also expected to communicate openly and quickly on all issues related to the mines.

"Being heard and getting information have a strong effect on residents. Responses are positive if people feel that mine-related opinions can be expressed freely. In addition, a positive attitude is reinforced by an open communication policy and a possibility to participate in the process of social impact assessment", says Kunnari.

Reconciliation of mining and nature-based livelihoods
According to the study, permanent residents are more positive than cottage owners about the possibility to combine mining and other livelihoods. Permanent residents anticipate jobs and positive economic effects at the local level. Estimations on the negative effects concern e.g. the state of waterways, traffic safety, and reindeer husbandry. People are particularly worried about the risks of mining in terms of the environment and tourism. Permanent residents consider the problems to be significantly smaller than cottage owners do.

"Cottage owners are more critical about mines than permanent residents in terms of e.g. environmental risks and combining livelihoods with one another. They do not expect employment, but they recognize the possibilities offered by mining to the local economy. Cottage owners emphasize preserving the beautiful natural environment e.g. for future generations and tourism", note Mikko Jokinen and Sanna Hast from Metla.

Reindeer owners are concerned about fragmented grazing grounds, grazing problems, and increasing costs and work amounts. Tourism entrepreneurs do not want to compromise the image of Lapland as a tourism destination and product associated with clean and peaceful nature.

"Combining livelihoods is facilitated by open and concrete communication. Acceptability and social sustainability are largely related to targeting the advantages and disadvantages of mining at least to some extent at the communities around the mines", say Jokinen and Hast.

Tourists in Ylläs concerned about mining
In this study, tourists were asked to state their opinions on the Hannukainen and Kittilä mine projects. Nearly half (45%) of the tourists have a neutral view on the present mine projects, but almost as many (39%) have a negative one. Expanding the mining operations would make 39% of the tourists less willing to revisit the place. Foreign tourists are more sensitive about the issue than domestic ones.

"Tourists visiting the Ylläs resort value nature and exercise, whereas Levi attracts visitors with its services. Ylläs tourists are, in fact, more critical about mining than Levi tourists. As many as 81% of Ylläs tourists thought that Hannukainen has a negative effect on the image of Ylläs and Levi", says Mikko Jokinen.

The different attitudes of Ylläs and Levi tourists are partly explained by the fact that the respective mining projects differ significantly from one another: The Kittilä gold mine is 25 kilometers away from Levi, whereas the planned Hannukainen iron ore mine is 10 kilometers from Ylläs.

"Needless to say, especially Ylläs tourists are quite worried about the Hannukainen mining project. If their concerns materialize, mining may cause significant risks regarding the image of the resort and the preconditions for tourism", says Jokinen.

Research background
The survey was made in 2012 in Kittilä, Kolari, and Muonio among permanent 18–75-year-old residents and in Kittilä and Kolari among temporary residents of the same age. The study was implemented by the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Lapland and the Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla).

The Faculty of Social Sciences focused on the acceptability of mining in local communities. Metla concentrated on the combining of nature-based livelihoods and on tourists’ conceptions on mines. The survey material consists of the responses of 436 permanent and 275 temporary residents.

The study is a part of the joint DILACOMI research project focusing on land use and local communities in mining projects. The project is run by the University of Lapland, the University of Oulu, and Metla and coordinated by the Faculty of Law at the University of Lapland. DILACOMI was launched at the beginning of 2011 and will continue to the end of 2013. The project is financed by ERDF through Tekes.

Further information:

Research focusing on tourism and other livelihoods
Mikko Jokinen, Researcher, Metla
firstname.lastname (at) metla.fi, tel. +358 50 391 3525
Sanna Hast, Researcher, Metla
firstname.lastname (at) metla.fi, tel. +358 40 801 5136

Research focusing on residents
Marika Kunnari, Researcher, University of Lapland
firstname.lastname (at) ulapland.fi, tel. +358 40 484 4203

www.ulapland.fi/dilacomi
www.metla.fi/hanke/7451

ULapland/Communications/OT