Description of the company
Anglo American Sakatti Mining Oy (AASM), Anglo American’s local subsidiary operating in Sodankylä, Finland. The Sakatti deposit is located in Finnish Lapland 15 km north of the municipality centre of Sodankylä. The deposit is a unique, poly-metallic deposit that contains seven payable metals, including copper, nickel, cobalt, platinum, palladium, gold, and silver. The estimated annual ore extraction volume is approximately 1.25–2.2 million tonnes. The planned mine targets the production of two concentrates, a high-grade copper and a high-grade nickel concentrate.
The Sakatti deposit is situated on the western edge of the Viiankiaapa Natura 2000 area and peatland protection area, deep beneath Viiankiaapa. The factory area will be located in Kuusivaara. A new access road is needed for the mining area. The mine will be connected to the national grid with a new 25 km long 110 kV power line on the west side of Kitinen. The concentrate will be transported by road to the port of Kemi or Oulu.
The project planning is subject to the Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure Act (EIA Act, 252/2017). The Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report) presents information about the project, its alternatives, and an assessment of the likely significant environmental impacts. The justified conclusion from the contact authority regarding the Sakatti polymetallic deposit mining project in Sodankylä is available here: Sakatin monimetalliesiintymän kaivoshanke, Sodankylä. The updated Natura assessment for the project was completed in February 2025. Based on authority statements issued in August 2025, the assessment was considered sufficient for the purposes of the Natura assessment, although the statements also raised observations related to project impacts and associated uncertainties from the perspective of the precautionary principle. In 2025, Sakatti was designated as a strategic project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which may streamline permitting procedures but does not remove the need to assess the conditions related to derogation from Natura protection.
Social Responsibility Report
Company in figures
- Reported minerals reserves: Indicated 41,0 Mt @ 1,06 % TCu; 0.63 % Ni; 0,83 g/t 3E. Inferred 116,3 Mt @ 0,64 % TCu; 0,32 % Ni; 0,62 g/t 3E (TCu = total copper; Ni = total nickel; 3E = combined platinum, palladium, and gold)
- Year of commencement: 2004 (In Finland)
- Number of own employees (31.12.): 58
- The main localities of the employees: Sodankylä, Oulu
- Number of employees of permanent contractors: At the beginning of the drilling season in December 2025, 92 contractor employees were working. Personnel numbers vary by work season.
Information about prospecting
Anglo American has been conducting mineral exploration in Finland since 2004. The exploration permit areas are mainly located north of the Sodankylä village center and fall within the territories of two reindeer herding cooperatives (Sattasniemi and Oraniemi). The exploration areas are being investigated for nickel, copper, and platinum group elements (Ni-Cu-PGE).
The most common exploration methods include bedrock mapping, diamond drilling, geological grab and soil sampling, geophysical surveys, and Base of Till Sampling (BOT).
- Number and area of reservation areas: 0 pcs and 0 ha
- Number and area of exploration permit areas: 5 pcs and 2,365.01 ha valid
- Number and area of exploration permit applications: 5 pcs and 6,053.5 ha
- Exploration permits under appeal: 4 pcs and 5,868.1 ha (surface area included in applications)
- Exploration drilling: 16,025 km
Environment
| 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 the environmental permit *** | ||
| Closure plan for the mine | ||
| Plan for the controlled shutdown of the mine in unexpected situations |
- * Viiankiaapa Natura 2000 and mire conservation area
- Environmental permit granted: No
- Guarantee in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act: -
- Financial guarantee in accordance with the mining act in the mining permit area: -
- Financial guarantee in accordance with the mining act in mineral exploration permit area: 159 000 €
Key Figures
- Amount of extractive waste: 153.9 tonnes of drill cuttings slurry
- Utilization of extractive waste: -
- Fuel consumption: MyDiesel 7.39 m3, fuel oil 81.53 m3, gasoline 6.39 m3
- Other energy consumption: Electricity consumption 0.29 GWh, district heating 0.5 GWh
- CO2 emissions: -
- Water consumption: 9746,85 m3
- Discharge of water outside the mining area: -
- Number of dams in the mining area: -
- Endangered species are present in the operational area: kylla
- Use of environmentally hazardous chemicals: -
- Biodiversity actions: The company has installed three raptor nests and nine Northern Hawk-Owl nest boxes outside the area affected by operations. Voluntary ecological compensation was carried out in 2022 in the Inari joint forest. In September 2024, the Lapland ELY Centre issued a decision to establish a nature conservation area as part of the Sakatti forest compensation. The decision describes the protected area as significant in terms of biodiversity values. Protecting the area supports nature conservation, improves ecological connectivity and expands the core wilderness area. Read more about the Sakatti forest compensation nature conservation area: https://finland.angloamerican.com/en/environment
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 | ||
| Own rescue unit |
Key Figures
- Average training days: 0.64 days per employee
- Sickness absences (excluding contractors): 223 days; 4.46 days per employee
- Accident frequency: 6.75 (including contractors)
- Shift systems in use: Daytime work, with rotation during the 2025–2026 drilling season
- Share of women in the labour force: 48 %
Impact on the use and livelihoods of nearby areas
Impact on local livelihood:
Exploration activities have been carried out in the areas of reindeer herding cooperatives Oraniemi and Sattasniemi. Intensive and open discussion is held with the local reindeer herders to integrate reindeer herding and exploration activities. In all of a season’s operations reindeer herding and the land use from the viewpoint of reindeer herding is taken into account.
As a part of important baseline studies related to reindeer herding in the Sakatti project area, GPS-collars have been provided to Sattasniemi and Oraniemi reindeer owners’ association for monitoring of the reindeer movements and herding habits. The gained data has been used in the Sakatti mining project’s EIA and regional planning processes, along with other design work. A separate updated investigation into reindeer husbandry has been produced as a part of the EIA process, which can be read at: https://www.lapinliitto.fi/Poronhoidontäydennysselvitys
According to the assessment of the company its operations have no negative impacts on other livelihoods. Continuous stakeholder discussion and variety of co-operative work is done with the key stakeholders of the project, e.g. with the municipality of Sodankylä, local residents, reindeer herding cooperatives, landowners and environmental organizations.
In the social impact assessment (SIA) of Sakatti project the social impacts to all the stakeholder groups have been identified and addressed. SIA is available at: Sakatin monimetalliesiintymän kaivoshanke – Sosiaalisten vaikutusten arviointi (ymparisto.fi)
Impact on nearby recreational use:
According to the company’s Environmental and Social Impact assessments, the impacts on the recreational use of the area are limited, since the exploration activities are mainly carried out during winter.
In Viiankiaapa where the possible mining activities would happen underground, the effects on the utilization of the area for forestry and agriculture or for the recreational use of the nature conservation area, are minimal. During operations the utilization of the area in the immediate proximity to the industrial site will be limited, such as recreational use and forestry. The impacts of the planned mining project on the recreational use of the nearby area have been inspected more closely in the EIA and SIA reports.
Impacts on landscape value:
According to the company’s assessment, its operations have minimal impact on the landscape value of the surrounding area. The impacts are mainly the red-painted wooden stakes used to mark the drill holes, which are visible at close range in the terrain. The assessment of the mining project’s impacts on landscape values has been detailed in the EIA of the Sakatti project and can be found on the company’s website. Read more: https://www.ymparisto.fi/sites/default/files/documents/LAPPI_Liite_7_Sakatti_maisema_ja_kulttuuriymparistoselvitys.pdf
Interaction with stakeholders
Stakeholder cooperation:
Local landowners, reindeer herders, residents, and other key stakeholders are informed about planned mineral exploration activities and other fieldwork before the work begins. In addition to written notifications, local events are organized where, for example, the exploration areas and planned activities with their schedules are presented in more detail. These events provide the public with an opportunity to participate in discussions, ask questions, and receive answers from experts. The company organizes these events in a hybrid format, allowing broader participation from the audience.
- The company follows Anglo American’s “Social Way” social performance management system, and stakeholder engagement is developed in a goal-oriented and interactive manner. Learn more: https://socialway.angloamerican.com/en
- Stakeholder meetings are held regularly to discuss current topics, with a particular focus on local residents, reindeer herding cooperatives, and nearby villages.
- Interactive and continuous dialogue, as well as understanding stakeholder expectations, is important to the company. The company aims to identify ways to reduce the project’s negative impacts on nearby communities.
- Multiple feedback channels are available for stakeholders, e.g., the “Contact Us” page on the website: https://finland.angloamerican.com/fi-fi/site-services/contact-us. Feedback can also be submitted anonymously.
- By providing feedback, stakeholders have the opportunity to influence project planning.
- Annual village meetings are organized for residents of nearby areas.
- An annual Open House event.
- Meetings with reindeer herding cooperatives are organized regularly throughout the year. From the company’s perspective, cooperation with the cooperatives is interactive, active, and inclusive.
- The company participates in collaborative project activities with other regional actors.
- Regular meetings are held with Members of Parliament, municipal politicians, and authorities.
- Collaboration with educational institutions includes mining-related and other training activities, such as student visits and on-the-job learning periods.
- The company offers summer jobs and internships for young people to support their learning and work experience.
- The company actively supports local education, youth work, sports and hobbies, elderly care, and environmental and cultural activities. In 2025, the company supported local recreational and cultural activities with €30,000.
- The company communicates current topics via social media, its website, and traditional stakeholder channels.
- More information about the company: https://finland.angloamerican.com/fi-fi/about-sakatti
- Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AngloAmericanFI
- LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/finland-anglo-american/
Research and cooperation projects:
REDU Edu, Responsibility Training for the Mining Industry -online course, 2 ECTS. Available: https://www.varmanatoihin.fi/vastuullisuuskoulutus