LÄÄNE-VIRUMAA CONCERNED ABOUT STATE'S LIMITED PHOSPHORITE RESEARCH.
Lääne-Virumaa Concerned: State Should Conduct More Thorough Phosphorite Research Before Involving Foreign Investors
Local authorities in Lääne-Virumaa are expressing concern in a joint appeal that the state is not conducting sufficiently extensive research on the phosphorite deposits in their county before potentially involving foreign partners. They emphasize that alongside the economic benefits derived from the mineral resource, a thorough analysis of the long-term social and environmental damages of extraction must be considered before concluding any concession agreements.
The Estonian Geological Survey's current phosphorite research primarily focuses on assessing the quality of the mineral resources in the Toolse deposit and examining the potential impact of mining and processing on groundwater. Preliminary research results are expected by the summer of next year. If these results indicate that more in-depth studies are economically viable, the government plans to organize a concession tender to involve foreign partners.
"According to the typical logic of mineral resource development, at least two more stages should follow the current one, during which more detailed studies will be conducted to assess various impacts, costs, and the feasibility of the operation," explained Tiit Kaasik, Head of the Mineral Resources Department at the Geological Survey.
The primary wish of the local municipalities in Lääne-Virumaa is for the state to conduct more comprehensive socio-economic and environmental impact assessments of the strategic mineral resources before involving foreign investors. The municipalities believe that the information obtained from the Aru-Lõuna limestone quarry study area does not provide a sufficient basis for decision-making, as it does not consider the potential impact on residential and agricultural land.
"This ten-square-kilometer area near Kunda is just a test pit, and you cannot make far-reaching decisions based on that," noted Peep Vassiljev, Chairman of the Rakvere Municipal Council.
Environmental scientist Erik Puura believes that phosphorite research should be more thorough even at this current stage, encompassing local conditions and the opinions of residents. "Together, we should seek an answer to the question of what environmentally sustainable mining really means – in my opinion, we have not yet adequately analyzed this concept," added Puura.
The Association of Local Authorities of Lääne-Virumaa plans to send a joint appeal outlining their concerns and proposals to the government, the Parliament (Riigikogu), and the President next week.
