Authorities in operational readiness due to a leak at Talvivaara
(Translation. Originally published in Finnish on 8 April 2013)
The Government Situation Centre received information about a gypsum pond leak at the Talvivaara mine on Monday morning. According to information provided by the authorities, waste water has not leaked out from the mining area.
The government preparedness organisation is actively informed about the situation and is ready to take immediate action if so required. The government has operational readiness to take all necessary measures to minimise environmental or other damage caused by the leak. The ministries' heads of preparedness have been informed about the situation and, if necessary, they will meet for coordinated decision making.
The Kainuu centre for economic development, transport and the environment (ELY Centre) is responsible for monitoring environmental and dam safety at the Talvivaara mine. The Centre has inspected the mining site and it will provide situation awareness information to the government. The Kainuu ELY Centre will be allocated all necessary support required to monitor the situation. For the present, the Centre is also responsible for public authority communications about the accident.
The mining operator is responsible for ensuring that its activities comply with the permit conditions as granted by relevant authorities. In November 2012, the Kainuu ELY Centre required that, within the next few months, Talvivaara's hydrologic balance and pond capacity was to reach a level that would enable the company to manage the spring 2013 run-off and exceptional hydrologic circumstances. It was also required that measures were to be taken with regard to pond safety and handling and management of waste water from the gypsum pond.
Inquiries: Timo Härkönen, Director of Government Security, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 40 717 6000 and Teppo Lehtinen, Head of Preparedness, Ministry of the Environment [email protected], tel. +358 50 517 9202