Description of the company
Mining company Hannukainen Mining Oy was established in 2015 to develop the mineral resources of the Hannukainen deposit, located in the municipality of Kolari. Mining operations are planned to take place primarily in areas where mining has previously been carried out by other mining companies. The company aims to develop the iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposit and produce iron, copper-gold and pyrite concentrates. Mining is planned to be carried out as open-pit mining in two pits. The project is currently in the permitting and planning phase, and production has not yet commenced.
Hannukainen Mining is owned by Tapojärvi Oy, a family-owned company based in Kolari. Tapojärvi has a long history in a wide range of mining contracting services, materials handling, circular economy solutions, and the operation of industrial plants and processes. During the project development phase, Hannukainen Mining is supported by the entire Tapojärvi organisation.
Website: https://www.hannukainenmining.fi/
- The company is committed to the operating principles of the mineral exploration responsibility system.
- The company has informed the personnel about the commitment.
- The company has operations in Natura 2000 areas.
- The company operates in areas certified by the authorities as valuable for nature conservation.
- The company operates in a special reindeer husbandry area.
Results according to the TSM Finland Standard
| C | B | A | AA | AAA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Relationships | |||||
| Environment | |||||
| Safety |
Social Responsibility Report
Company in figures
- Reported ore reserves: 115 Mt (Fe 30,5 %, Cu 0,185 %, Au 0,112 ppm)
- Reported minerals reserves: 159 Mt (Fe 30%, Cu 0,18%)
- Year of commencement: 2015 (company established, production has not yet commenced)
- Number of own employees (31.12.): 6
- The main localities of the employees: Kolari, Meri-Lappi
- Number of permanent contractors (31.12.): 0
Information about prospecting
Mineral exploration is carried out in Kolari, around the planned mine area, and in Kelontekemä, Kittilä. In summer 2025, the company also expanded its exploration activities to Haukipudas in North Ostrobothnia by submitting a reservation notification for the area.
In Kolari, exploration focuses on iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposits, with magnetite and chalcopyrite as the main minerals of interest. In Kelontekemä, Kittilä, exploration focuses on gold and copper. Exploration activities include modelling and interpretation of historical data, geophysical surveys and diamond drilling.
- Number and area of reservation areas: 2 pcs and 295 ha
- Number and area of exploration permit areas: 7 pcs and 4028 ha
- Number and area of exploration permit application: 1 pcs and 303 ha
- Exploration permits under appeal: 0
- Exploration drilling: 0
Environment
| Yes | No | |
|---|---|---|
| Location in a nature reserve* | ||
| Voluntary environmental management system ** | ||
| Environmental risk assessment carried out |
- Financial guarantee in accordance with the mining act in mineral exploration permit area: 15000 e
Key Figures
- Endangered species are present in the operational area: Yes
- Use of environmentally hazardous chemicals: No
- Biodiversity actions: Nature surveys are conducted in the project area, and their findings are taken into account in mine planning and impact assessment. The planning process aims to preserve areas of value for biodiversity. For example, options for locating stockpile areas are being assessed with the aim of preserving potential sites for trout spawning grounds. Biodiversity data will continue to be supplemented as the project planning progresses.
Personnel and security
| Yes | No | |
|---|---|---|
| Staff initiative system | ||
| Performance appraisals concerning the entire personnel | ||
| Staff training plan | ||
| Equality plan | ||
| Employee representation in company administration | ||
| Occupational health and safety management system* | ||
| Occupational safety card for everyone working in the area |
Key Figures
- Average training days: 3,6
- Sickness absences (excluding contractors): 1,1
- Accident frequency: No
- Shift systems in use: Day shift
Impact on the use and livelihoods of nearby areas
Impact on local livelihood:
During the project development phase, the company’s activities in the former mining area remain limited. Local residents and other key stakeholders are informed in advance of fieldwork and mineral exploration activities. Discussions are held with the local reindeer herding cooperative during the planning phase to coordinate reindeer husbandry with exploration and field activities. The company also seeks to coordinate its future activities with other local businesses and livelihood operators.
According to the company’s assessment, its activities have not had a significant impact on local livelihoods during the project development phase. If implemented, the project may increase demand for local services and support local businesses and livelihoods.
Impacts on nearby recreational use:
According to the company’s assessment, its activities have not had a significant impact on recreational use of the surrounding area during the project development phase, as regular mining operations have not yet commenced.
Impacts on landscape value:
The company’s activities are not considered to have a significant impact on the landscape of the area. The test structures have been located in a gravel extraction area within the former mining site. In addition, groundwater monitoring wells and drill hole marker posts have been installed in the area, and their impacts on the landscape have been assessed as minor.
Interaction with stakeholders
Stakeholder cooperation:
Hannukainen Mining Oy maintains active and open dialogue with its stakeholders. In 2025, discussions focused particularly on the project’s permitting and legal processes, project timeline, and local impacts. During the year, 243 stakeholder contacts were recorded, and the company participated in four local public events.
Vänkätupa, located in Kolari, serves as a meeting place for the company and local stakeholders. In 2025, Vänkätupa was open on 18 occasions, with a total of 425 visitors. Discussion events on various topics related to the mining project were also organised at Vänkätupa.
Stakeholders were also kept informed through the company’s website, social media channels and newsletters. Five newsletters were published during the year.
Feedback and stakeholder discussions were recorded throughout 2025. Key topics included the project’s permitting process, timeline and employment impacts. The overall tone of the feedback was neutral or positive.
Research and cooperation projects:
- Biopeitto 3 – Bio-based cover solutions promoting ecosystem recovery in mine closure. The project develops cover structures using side-stream materials from the bio-based circular economy and biochar. The aim is to reduce the amount of moraine required in cover structures while improving water management and supporting the development of vegetation in rehabilitated areas. The project is coordinated by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) as a project partner. The participating companies and municipalities are Hannukainen Mining Oy, Boliden Kevitsa Oy, Agnico Eagle Finland Oy, Rupert Resources Oy, Mawson Oy, Sakatti Mining Oy, GRK Oy, Levin Vesihuolto Oy, Neve Oy, Rissasen Taimisto Oy, Inergia Oy, the Municipality of Sodankylä and the Municipality of Kittilä. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.
- The three-year TYPKI project, co-funded by Business Finland, ended at the end of 2023. However, monitoring of the mine closure test structure constructed at Hannukainen as part of the project is continuing.
- The CINTEM project, co-funded by Business Finland, was launched in early 2025. The project aims to develop methods and technologies covering the entire life cycle of a mining project, with the goal of creating optimised circular economy value chains. The work utilises data flows throughout the material value chain, develops products across value chains and combines business models from different industries into an optimised overall concept. The project aims to reduce mining waste, such as tailings and waste rock, increase the utilisation of extracted materials, improve the quality of final waste, and facilitate the recovery and utilisation of materials from legacy extractive waste areas, for example as sources of critical raw materials.The CINTEM consortium includes four universities and research organisations: the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK, coordinator), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, LUT University and the University of Oulu. Tapojärvi Oy and Hannukainen Mining Oy participate with their own development project, alongside Sokli Oy, AFRY Finland Oy, Betolar Oy, Lateral Engine Oy and IMA Engineering Oy. Weeefiner Oy, Normet Oy and LKAB Minerals Oy also contribute to the project through in-kind contributions. The project will run for 2.5 years.
- OPTIMINER is a research and innovation project funded by the European Union. Its aim is to develop smart, digital and sustainable solutions for recovering critical raw materials from low-grade ores and extractive waste. The project combines technologies such as ore sorting, bioleaching and digital tools with sustainability solutions to help strengthen Europe’s raw material self-sufficiency. The project will run for four years.
- KAIVESI aims to address current challenges in mine water treatment, particularly residues of metals, nitrogen and xanthates, by developing new treatment and measurement methods. The two-year project will continue until July 2027. It is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the North Finland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, together with participating companies. The project is implemented by the University of Oulu.
- INNOMIN aims to improve the environmental efficiency of mineral processing by reducing energy and material consumption and enhancing the recovery of critical minerals. The project is implemented by South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk), the University of Eastern Finland and Kajaani University of Applied Sciences. The project is co-funded by the European Union, with funding provided through the Regional Councils of South Savo, North Savo and Kainuu. The two-year project is being carried out during 2024–2026.