Both the Nature Conservation Association and the organization Nature and Youth are red-faced after a mining operation in Western Norway is allowed to dump up to 250 million tonnes of mining waste in the Førdefjorden.
On Wednesday, they are announcing a lawsuit against the state, according to a press release.
– We stand together with the local population, research and future generations in this matter. We are ready to give everything in the fight for clean fjords. Now we are taking this case to court to stop this disastrous project, says Gina Gylver, head of Nature and Youth.
– A clear breach
The lawsuit from the Nature Conservation Association was already approved at the national board on 11 June and is now supported by Nature and Youth, which is throwing itself into the fight.
Now they start the subpoena work together.
The background to the lawsuit is a permit to dump up to 250 million tonnes of mining waste in the Førdefjorden, granted by the Ministry of Climate and Environment.
The two organizations believe the decision is a clear violation of the Pollution Act and the EU’s mineral waste directive, as a result of a lack of a plan for adequate waste management.
– Nordic Mining has been given permission to dump the mine waste directly into the fjord without any requirement to investigate how the waste can be minimized, so that other and more environmentally friendly solutions can be found, says Truls Gulowsen, head of the Nature Conservation Association.
Believe in victory in court
Gulowsen believes that consideration for the rich and clean fjord has ended up at the bottom of the priority pile.
The Ministry of Climate and the Environment has rejected the revision request submitted by the two organizations on 12 May, where they warned of a possible lawsuit.
Both the discharge permit and the operating license have been appealed, but none of the appeals were successful.
– The mining company has received all permits, and there are no further appeals. That is why we are taking the case to court. We cannot sit by and watch such an outdated and polluting project being carried out. We have great faith that we can win, says Gylver.
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