The mining industry

In 2011, a total of 52 mines and quarries were operating in Finland (Figures 1 and 2). Excavation of metallic ore deposits has increased mainly due to high demand for metals (Figure 3). The production volumes of industrial minerals have not increased during the last years.

 

In 2012, several mining projects were in progress. Metallic mining and the related industry has shown growth and export potential. Mining operations have had a positive impact on employment, particularly in Eastern and Northern Finland (Figure 4). The Government has promoted mining industry with a variety of measures, including training of skilled personnel, construction of roads and railways, and providing funding for research.

 

At the development stage, mining projects require capital. Insufficient domestic funding has been available for the mining sector:  the majority of investments have come from international sources in recent years.

 

Exploration and mining companies are regulated under the same tax legislation as all other companies in Finland. Tax models for the mining sector differ in different countries. The Finnish model resembles that of other Nordic countries. Read more about business financing in the pages of Industry Investment, Finnvera and Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.

Suomi kestävän kaivannaisteollisuuden edelläkävijäksi

(Making Finland a leader in sustainable extractive industry, resume in English)

The Transport Needs of the Mining Industry (summary)

Figure 1. Metallic ore mines in 2011 (jpg) (548.4 KB)

Figure 2. Industrial mineral and gemstone mines in 2011 (jpg) (572.1 KB)

Figure 3. Metallic mineral production volumes in Finland in 2002 - 2011 (pdf) (166.1 KB)

Figure 4. The Kemi chromite mine has been operating since the 1960s (jpg) (110 KB)