Sodankylä, Finland, June 2025 — The European Commission included the Sakatti mining project in Lapland in the list of strategic projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The project aims to secure the EU's supply of copper, nickel, and other important metals to support the 'green transition' and energy independence.
The deposit is located on the protected Viiankiaapa mire, which is part of the Natura 2000 network. Environmentalists are concerned about potential damage to the ecosystem and a precedent for weakening environmental regulations.
The Sakatti project awaits mining permits and environmental approvals, including a possible lifting of some protective measures, with a decision expected in the autumn of 2026. Decisions on the project are being made at regional and municipal levels, where the majority supports the mining.
Critics consider the deposit to be of medium size and doubt the absence of alternatives, however, the EU views the project as an important step towards strengthening resource security.
This project illustrates the complexity of ensuring resource security in the European Union, given Finnish concerns about environmental and historical consequences, which could trigger protests and requires careful consideration.