Water

The mine's primary source of raw water is the lake Kolmisoppijärvi, which in its entirety is located within the mining concession. The lake, covering some 200 hectares, is a typical Finnish, slightly eutrophic minor water body with acidic, brown water - one of many thousands found in Finland. The lake is not significant where rare or protected species are concerned, and the water intake by Talvivaara does not pose any threat to the biodiversity of the aquatic environment in the area. The need to take water from the lake is reduced by the use of rain and melt water collected from the ditches and paved areas in the mine area and of drainage water from the pit as raw water.

The mine is not in a groundwater area suitable for water supply, and its operations do not use groundwater. Because of the mineral deposits found in the area, the water in the soil is naturally poor in quality and partly unfit for use. The water resources currently available for the mine are sufficient, and it will be possible to use them in an environmentally sustainable manner. Talvivaara seeks to recycle water as efficiently as possible. For example, rain and run-off water from the waste dump and plant areas is collected into basins and pumped to the irrigation of the heaps. Any water accumulating at the bottom of the open pit is pumped through a collecting basin into the irrigation water circulation of the bioleaching process.

As Talvivaara's production process is still at the ramp-up stage, the mine's current water use per produced product tonne is greater than the planned volume during full-scale production. In the ramp-up of its operations, Talvivaara has had to lead some of the extra water accumulated in production back into the water body after treatment, mainly during spring and autumn because of melt waters and heavy rains. Talvivaara has a permit for water leading granted by the authorities, as well as an obligation to monitor the discharges and the water body so as to ensure that no adverse effects are caused to the water body. Maintaining the natural quality and recreational use of surface waters is an important objective for Talvivaara.

The impact of raw water intake on the hydrology and ecology of Kolmisoppijärvi was assessed in conjunction with the environmental impact assessment for the mine. In addition to effects on water quality, the monitoring of receiving waters covers any biological effects - i.e., any impact of the water management on aquatic organisms such as fish, bottom fauna, and aquatic plants. Talvivaara's mining operations have affected the water bodies closest to the discharge points: their water quality and ecological status have worsened. No impact has been observed further from the mine. Once the mine's operations have reached a steady state, the need to lead extra water accumulated in production into water bodies will cease or at least decline substantially. Then the receiving waters will also recover.