Rupert Finland Oy is a company owned by Rupert Resources Ltd, headquartered in Sodankylä. Rupert Resources’ focus is on the Rupert Lapland project in the Central Lapland greenstone belt. The project consists of a multi-million-ounce Ikkari gold deposit and the permitted Pahtavaara mine. The company was founded in 2016. The operations focus on exploration and there is currently no active mining operation as the Pahtavaara mine is in maintenance state.
The Pahtavaara gold deposit was found by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) in 1985. Pahtavaara mine has been active 1996–2000, 2003–2007 and 2008–2014 by previous owners. Production in Pahtavaara has taken place from an open pit and, since 2009, exclusively from an underground mine. Mining operations in Pahtavaara have been suspended since 2014, and in September 2016 the mine was taken over by Rupert Finland Oy.
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| Community Relationships | Environment | Safety |
Rupert Finland Oy has been conducting exploration in Sodankylä since 2016. The company’s exploration permit areas are located north of the Sodankylä municipal center in the surroundings of the Pahtavaara mine area. The exploration permit areas are located mainly in the reindeer herding co-operative area of Sattasniemi. Gold and copper are searched for in the exploration permit areas, and geophysical measurements, base of till sampling and drilling are used as exploration methods.
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| Location in a nature reserve* | ||
| Voluntary environmental management system ** | ||
| Environmental risk assessment carried out |
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| Performance appraisals concerning the entire personnel | ||
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| Occupational health and safety management system* | ||
| Occupational safety card for everyone working in the area |
The Pahtavaara mine area and the company’s exploration activities are located in the reindeer herding co-operative area of Sattasniemi. There is a regular dialogue with reindeer herders. GPS collars intended for reindeer have been purchased for the Sattasniemi reindeer herders to monitor the reindeer’s movement and pasture rotation. Every autumn, the company organizes information sessions for the residents of nearby villages, where the work of the upcoming field season is presented and there is an open discussion about the company’s activities and effects on the area. The company strives to use local companies in its purchases. According to the company’s own view, the operation has no effect on other businesses.
Exploration activities may cause minor and momentary harm to the recreational use of the nearby area. The Pahtavaara mine has affected the original recreational use of the area, as hunting and berry picking have receded from the area due to mining.
Exploration is very local, so according to the company’s assessment, the effects of its exploration activities on the landscape value are minor. At the Pahtavaara mine, landscape impacts have been reduced by planting the surface of the tailings area and monitoring the success of the vegetation in the area based on the trial permit. The updated closure plan for the Pahtavaara mine includes measures to close the area, reduce landscape damage and adapt the area to the environment.
The company considers open and proactive information and dialogue with its stakeholders to be of primary importance. The company always informs its stakeholders about the exploration work beforehand. Every Autumn, an information session is organized for the nearest villages, where future works and plans are presented. At the village meetings, it is possible to meet the company’s employees, discuss and ask questions about the operation. Information sessions are organized not only for the villagers but also for other stakeholders such as the municipality and the authorities, whenever necessary. We also support local activities.
The company uses social media such as Facebook and Instagram to inform about its activities. You can find a contact form on the company’s website. The channels are open to all stakeholders and to those who are interested in the operation. You can submit comments, questions and feedback on the company’s operations:
The company is participating in the joint Biopeitto 3 project by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK). The project focuses on developing cover structures for mine waste areas by incorporating circular economy side stream materials such as biochar, composted sewage sludge, and ash generated from sewage sludge treatment into the cover layers. The project investigates how the addition of these bio-based and circular economy side stream materials affects, among other things, the structure of the cover, plant growth, and soil microbiota. The field trials at the Pahtavaara mine’s tailings area will continue until the end of 2026.
