finnish nickel mining execs on trial for environmental damage
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Finnish nickel mining execs on trial for environmental damage

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Finnish nickel mining execs on trial for environmental damage

Finnish nickel mining company
Helsinki - AFP

Four former executives with a Finnish nickel mining company accused of contaminating lakes with uranium, cadmium and other toxic elements went on trial Tuesday charged with aggravated environmental damage.

Talvivaara Sotkamo, the bankrupt operator of the European Union's biggest nickel mine, is also named among the defendants in the highly-publicised case in Kainuu, east-central Finland.

The prosecutor asked the district court to seize 13.3 million euros ($14.6 million) in illegal profits from Talvivaara Sotkamo's estate and the four executives, according to court documents.

Situated around 500 kilometres (300 miles) north of Helsinki, the mine opened in 2008 amid expectations it would usher in a new era in nickel mining in Finland.

But the operation ended in environmental disaster and economic failure after toxic levels of nickel, cadmium, uranium, aluminium and zinc were detected in nearby lakes and rivers in 2012, and again in 2013 after waste water began to leak from the mine.

The company filed for bankruptcy at the end of 2014.

The case has generated huge interest in Finland, prompting the Kainuu court to hold the trial at a university campus because its courtroom is too small to accommodate the crowd.

The prosecutor is seeking suspended sentences and fines for the company's former chief executive, Pekka Pera, and three of his colleagues.

He also asked the court to impose a maximum fine of 850,000 euros ($932,000) on the bankrupt company for allegedly negligent procedures.

Both the company and executives pleaded not guilty.

Finland's largest daily Helsingin Sanomat cited unnamed sources as saying the defence would argue that "some environmental degradation" had been permitted by the authorities as it was part of mining.

The Finnish state has taken over the open-pit mine until a new ownership structure is decided on.

The mine is currently filled with water caused by a flooding problem that has to be resolved if operations are to resume.

The trial is expected to last around two months.

Damage claims from local landowners will be heard at a separate trial.

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

finnish nickel mining execs on trial for environmental damage finnish nickel mining execs on trial for environmental damage

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

finnish nickel mining execs on trial for environmental damage finnish nickel mining execs on trial for environmental damage

 



GMT 12:05 2017 Thursday ,20 April

Iran FM slams 'worn-out' US nuclear accusations

GMT 18:04 2017 Wednesday ,18 October

Cash-loving Japanese savers opt to play it safe

GMT 16:33 2018 Friday ,07 December

Lavrov comments on Greek PM’s visit to Moscow

GMT 21:06 2016 Sunday ,28 February

Grave violations, human right abuses in Libya

GMT 07:07 2017 Sunday ,12 February

Night-time quake kills at least 6 in Philippines

GMT 22:20 2017 Sunday ,01 January

Egypt decries Istanbul nightclub attack

GMT 10:45 2017 Wednesday ,11 October

Tears in Damascus as Syria misses shot at World Cup

GMT 05:32 2017 Tuesday ,14 February

Ajman Crown Prince receives Belgian Foreign Minister

GMT 09:55 2017 Saturday ,21 January

Actress Jenny Esper keen to consider scenarios
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday