”Mining destroys environment” Lena Hulden member of CPFinland secretary speech in 4. the Congress of the European Left Parties

Comrades,

There is a growing pressure on using the natural resources in the Arctic and the Subarctic areas, More than 25% of the world gas and more than 10 % of the world oil are produced there. The arctic share of the gobal extraction of nickel and cobolt is more than 10 %. Also 40 % of the world production of palladium is mined in the North.

For many of these metals there is a growing demand, which cannot be met with recycling. The population growth from 7 billion today to 9 billion in 2050 makes it impossiblebe. More and more pace makers, more artificial hip and knee replacements and more mobil phones will be needed. Already that demand means more mining of minerals.

The mining companies are running havov in the North. Mining means profit. The destroyed environment, polluted lakes and sea is left for the tax payers. There are several examples of this now in Finland. It must be stopped. The mining companies must be forced to pay for the damage already during prospectation and mining. Only then there would be funding in case of bankcrupsy or if the mines are abandoned. In the mining industry the rights of the indigenous people must be respected.

Mining is harmful, mining destroys the environment, but often there is no alternative. To stop mining in the rich part of the world sends the nimby message: Not in my backyard. For some metals there would then be a shortage and rising prices. Only the very rich could afford a new hip or sofisticated dentistry. The ores in the third world would be even more thoroughly exploited at the cost of the third world population and their environment.Let us stop this devopment. Let us demand that the mining companies respects the environment and the rights of the indigenous people. Finally, let us make the mining companies pay the cleaning bill.

Lena Huldén