Nordkalk group, owned by UK-based SigmaRoc PLC, is the leading limestone company in Northern Europe, with a significant presence in Central Europe. The parent company Nordkalk Oy Ab, operating in Finland, has 11 limestone mines. The largest mines are located in Parainen, Lappeenranta and Tytyri in Lohja, with Tytyri being an underground mine. These three mines, which have been in operation over one hundred year, represent over 90 % of Nordkalk’s limestone production in Finland. In addition to limestone, Nordkalk mines Gangue and Wollastonite in Lappeenranta. Juuan Dolomiittikalkki still operates as its own company and thus has not been included in the report for year 2024, unless otherwise stated.
Nordkalk’s business activities are not limited to mining; it also manufactures quicklime and slaked lime. However, these aspects are not the focus of this report.
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| Yes | No | |
|---|---|---|
| Location in a nature reserve* | ||
| Environmental Management System ** | ||
| Environmental impact assessment required (in accordance with the EIA Act) * | ||
| Measurements for dust | ||
| Measurements for noise | ||
| Measurements for vibration | ||
| Environmental risk assessment carried out | ||
| Deviations from environmental permits *** | ||
| Closure plan for the mine | ||
| Plan for the controlled shutdown of the mine in unexpected situations |
| 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 | ||
| Own rescue unit |
Mining employs local people both directly and indirectly, either as contractors or as service providers. Business activities are carried out in connection with the mines, utilizing old mining facilities, for example, museum and restaurant operations and the development of elevator technology. The operations have continued for over 100 years, so the mining areas have adapted to be part of the local community.
During quarrying or kiln operations, there are impacts on local communities, such as noise, dust, vibrations, local emissions and traffic load. Although these impacts cannot be completely eliminated, they have been managed through environmental permit processes (including regular authority audits and reporting), the ISO 14001 certified Management System, a constant self-monitoring and continuous improvement process. Measures aimed at reducing the impacts of our operations include e.g. installing dust filters and ensuring their good condition, improving the blasting plan and dust control measures. The company has renovated the viewpoint and fitness stairs in Pargas and enabled the operation of the mining museum in Lohja.
Impacts on the landscape have been taken into account in the company’s activities. Material efficiency improvement work is active, in order to avoid putting material in waste areas. Waste areas are landscaped during mining lifetime according to environmental permit conditions. Per request of authorities some areas are left without landscaping in order to provide favourable conditions for lime loving species. Underground mines in Tytyri, where operations have been ceased, can be used as mine refill locations for power plant ash, which reduced visible landfilling.
Maintenance of Lake Alinenjärvi through liming, in cooperation with the City of Nokia.
