Spitsbergen mining plans spark debate

The Norwegian coal mining company Store Norske is about to run out of reserves in its “Svea” mine at Spitsbergen and now wants to open another major mine in the area.

According to company representatives, the reserves in the “Svea” mine will run out in 6-7 years, and the new “Lunchefjell” mine will secure continued activities. Project manager Arne Langeland says to NRK that the “Lunchefjell” mine contains about 10 million tons of coal.

The problem however is that the only access to the resources is through a glacier. A total of 700 million NOK will be needed for the development of the mine.

Head of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Rasmus Hansson says the plans are “pathetic”. He underlines that it will be politically unacceptable for Norway to invest in the mines as long as the country argues that other countries should cut coal consumption and rather turn to the use of Norwegian natural gas.

-There is no doubt that the Svalbard society will survive excellently also without the mining, the WWF leader says to NRK. –The environmentalists will put up a fight in this issue, he promises.

Photo: Barentsphoto.com