Social Impacts of Mining in Storuman Municipality: Results of a Survey to Local Residents

Social Impacts of Mining in Storuman Municipality: Results of a survey to local residents

Karina Umander, Gustaf Norlén and Leneisja Jungsberg

Storuman Municipality and Nordregio, 2018

Contents

Map of Storuman municipality ...... 3 1. Introduction ...... 4 2. Research material, methods and background information ...... 4 3. Experienced impacts of mining on the attractiveness, infrastructure and services of Storuman .. 9 4. General attitudes toward mining ...... 11 5. Social license to operate and regulatory control ...... 16 6. Environmental impacts ...... 20 7. Conclusion ...... 22 8. References ...... 24

Map of Storuman municipality Below is a map of the municipality. Existing or potential mining establishments are written in blue uppercase text.

1. Introduction This survey is part of the project Regional Innovation in the Nordic Arctic and Scotland with a Special Focus on Regions with Large-Scale Projects (REGINA). The purpose of the project is to support the development of sparsely populated areas and their ability to benefit more from large-scale natural resource projects. REGINA is a three-year project that started in October 2015 and is carried out simultaneously in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Scotland and Greenland. The project is funded by the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme. REGINA comprises a number of municipalities, regional development organizations and research institutes.

As part of REGINA, Nordregio and Storuman municipality, in cooperation with the University of Lapland and Luleå University of Technology, conducted a survey in January to June 2017 aimed at residents in villages near an existing or planned mining establishment. The purpose of the survey was to analyse residents' views on mining operations and their experiences of mining impacts on the municipality. The survey also sought to increase the knowledge about how social consequences of large-scale industries are experienced in the municipality.

Social consequences are the impacts of a large-scale project on society – be it individuals, families or communities. This report deals with mining projects, which, due to their scale, can have an impact on people's life and conditions. The consequences can be expressed as higher rents or real estate values due to increased demand for housing, as the traffic situation in the village centre, as lost areas for berry picking and hunting, as new employment opportunities, or as fear of losing the clean environment.

At the municipal level, mining projects often increase tax revenues and strengthen people's faith in the future. At the same time, however, municipal debt and taxation levels can increase due to a growing demand for services. Mining projects can also create strong opinions that drive people into two opposing camps. 2. Research material, methods and background information This study is part of an international project and a similar study has been conducted in Sodankylä, Finland. The study has been designed by Lapland University and the questions have been translated from English to Swedish. For further information on the theoretical framework, see the report written by Lapland University.1

The study was conducted in Storuman municipality in the form of a survey aimed at a selection of respondents living near an existing or potential mining establishment in the eastern part of the municipality. The addresses were retrieved from the Municipal Register. The response period was about four months. The addressees were 16 years old and older. 571 questionnaires were sent to residents in smaller villages near an existing or potential mining establishment in Pauträsk, Barsele and Högland. The response period was 19 January to 13 June 2017. 217 responses were received, of which 175 per mail and 42 via the internet.

In a study on mining, "Fjällnära Gruvdrift?", conducted by Luleå University of Technology and Umeå University the year before, questionnaires were sent to residents in the western part of the municipality, i.e. near Rönnbäck / Rönnbäcken outside Tärnaby. The study also held meetings with

1 Kuisma, M. and Suopajärvi, L. (2017) Social Impacts of Mining in Sodankylä. University of Lapland. http://www.reginaproject.eu/resourcecentre 4

local stakeholders. Respondents to this questionnaire are not the same as the respondents in the study "Fjällnära Gruvdrift?".

The respondents of the survey are anonymous and each respondent has a number that is linked to the person’s answer. The quotation in the text comes from the free answer fields in the survey. The number after a citation is the number of the respondent.

53 percent of the respondents were men (n = 115) and 42 percent women (n = 91). The remaining 5 percent (n = 11) did not state their gender. Two-fifths had upper secondary and tertiary education (39 %). One-sixth had university education (16 %) and one-ninth had college or University College (11 %) as the highest education completed. Of those with vocational or tertiary education, the largest group was those with technical education (18 %), then those with education in health and social services (12 %), education/teaching (9 %), agriculture and forestry (7 %) and transport (7 %).

50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Elementary/primary school Secondary school University of applied sciences University Some other No answer

Figure 1. Education (highest completed education level)

Three quarters of the respondents had lived for more than 10 years at their place of residence (74 %), indicating that the connection to the residence is strong.

Figure 2. How long have you stayed at your place of residence?

Slightly more than two fifths of the respondents were over 65 years (43 %). However, this reflects the demographic structure of Storuman, in 2016 the old age dependency was 49 percent. Two thirds of the households consisted of one or two people (66 %) and only one quarter of the households consisted of three persons or more (24 %).

Figure 3. Year of birth

Only nine respondents (4 %) answered that they themselves, or someone else in their household, worked in a mine. A quarter of the respondents stated that they themselves or someone else in their household owned a property where there is an existing or planned mine (24 %). Most of these owned a property in Barsele/Gunnarn, but some also in Strömsund and elsewhere.

Almost half of the respondents were retirees (45 %), slightly more than one-third were employed workers (36 %), some were self-employed (6 %), a few were jobseekers (2 %) and a small number were students (0,5 %).

Unemployed 2 % Other 1 %

Employee 36 %

Pensioner 45 %

Entrepreneur 6 %

Student 0,5 %

Figure 4. What is your main employment?

Half of the respondents did not have a significant part of their livelihood from natural resources (49 %). About a quarter of those with a significant part of their livelihood from natural resources had their income from forestry (23 %). A smaller number had a significant proportion of their livelihood from agriculture (5 %), from hydropower (3 %), from mining (2 %) and a few from hunting/fishing. None of the respondents had a significant portion of their livelihood from reindeer herding.

No answer 16 % Forestry 23 %

Agriculture 5 %

Mining 2 %

Hydroelectric power 3 %

Reindeer herding 0 %

No 49 % Other natural rescourse 2 %

Figure 5. Do you have a significant part of your livelihood from a natural resource?

One third of the respondents had an income between 10,000 and 30,000 Swedish kronor per month (34 %), one quarter had between 30,000 and 50,000 per month (24 %), one-fifth had more than 50,000 kronor (21 %) and less than a tenth had less than 10,000 Swedish kronor in income (8 %). Some of those who answered that they had an income of 110,000 Swedish kronor or more per month, might have misunderstood the question and thought that the question was about annual income.

40,0

35,0 33,6

30,0

25,0 23,5

20,0

14,7 14,3 15,0

10,0 7,8

4,6 5,0 0,9 0,5 0,0 1

Less than 10 000 10 000 - 29 999 29 999 - 49 999 50 000 - 69 999 70 000 - 89 999 90 000 - 109 999 110 000 or more No answer

Figure 6. Gross income (an estimate of total monthly income in the household in Swedish kronor)

The only question with a significantly lower response rate was the question about ethnicity (the response rate was 80 %). A clear majority of those who responded stated that they do not belong to any of the Swedish national minorities. Only three of the respondents stated that they belong to an ethnic minority. Far fewer than expected stated that they are Sami. The majority of the Sami people live in the western part of the municipality.2 Therefore, it is natural that the response rate is low. As there were so few representing the Sami group, there cannot be any conclusions about how to improve the support to them.

When the survey was mentioned in the media, a number of comments were made about it on social media. Many people were worried that the municipality uses the survey to legitimize mining. Many of those who expressed their views hope that the municipality will listen to the local people and their concern about a mining establishment.

Others expressed the opinion that the questionnaire is not scientifically designed and one asks whether information has been obtained from the research project "Fjällnära Gruvdrift?". The survey is designed by Lapland University in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology (responsible for the research project "Fjällnära Gruvdrift?") and Nordregio. The University of Lapland has extensive experience in social impact assessment. The survey is part of a larger comparative study with Sodankylä municipality in Finland.

The survey consists of agree-disagree scales, which means that respondents get a number of statements to which some respondents will agree, while others will not. In order for more people to be able to answer the questionnaire it could also be answered openly, without personal code, via the

2 Phone interview with Storuman municipality's minority coordinator Mona Fiskum 2018-01-25. 8

internet. Information about it was posted on the municipality's website. The two questionnaires have been analysed separately. The results of this report are based on the questionnaire response from respondents living in villages near the potential and existing mining establishments in Barsele, Högland and Pauträsk. 3. Experienced impacts of mining on the attractiveness, infrastructure and services of Storuman More than four fifths found that they have a large social network in the village (83 %) and three quarters thought there are people with similar interests and thoughts staying there (74 %). Most people thought the area is nice (91 %). More than two thirds also found that the environment is clean and tidy (71 %). Almost four fifths were positive or neutral to how the municipality promotes the interests of local people (78 %) and just as many considered Storuman municipality to be a safe place to live (78 %). Most respondents were positive or neutral to the municipality's impression on the outside world (90 %). One reason why so many people were neutral to or disagreed with the statement that the atmosphere in Storuman municipality is active (66 %) may be due to fact that there are fewer events in the smaller villages, in which the respondents live, compared to the municipal centres.

I have a good social network (e.g. friends and relatives) 39,6 43,8 11,12,8 in the village

There are people here who share my interests and views 25,3 48,4 20,3 3,2

The environment is clean and tidy 12,0 58,5 18,9 6,5

The municipal authorities responsibly promote the 5,5 26,7 45,6 12,9 interests of the locals

The image of the municipality is positive 7,8 27,2 54,8 5,5

It is a safe place to live 31,3 46,5 17,1 2,8

It is a nice/comfortable place to live 39,2 52,1 6,50,9

The atmosphere in Storuman is active 4,6 26,7 46,5 15,2

0,0 10,0 20,0 30,0 40,0 50,0 60,0 70,0 80,0 90,0 100,0

Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree No answer

Figure 7. Attractiveness of Storuman municipality as a place to live

The results are similar to those in the report "Fjällnära Gruvdrift?”, which states that the local actors care for the place and its future. They want to live, work and offer their children a future in the place where they live. Different actors have different views on what sustainable development means.

More than a third were satisfied with the supply of houses/real estate (36 %) and half were satisfied with the price levels of these (49 %), but more than two fifths did not know what the situation looks like (44 %) and more than one third did not know what prices are for houses/real estate (36 %). About half did not know what the situation with land use and urban/local planning looks like (48 %). A little more than two fifths do not know how the safety work is carried out in the municipality (43 %) and almost as many respondents were satisfied with the municipality's security work (42 %).

Just over two fifths of the respondents were satisfied with education, work and career opportunities (42 %). More than a quarter were dissatisfied with the same (29 %). Storuman municipality is a small municipality and there are few educational institutions. Storuman Lärcentrum has some vocational education programs and services in the form of, among other things, laptops for lending, video conferencing and library services for students who study university education at a distance.3 Storuman Folkhögskola has specialised programs.4 The labour market is small and segregated with women working mainly in public and service/tourism sectors, while men work in forest-based

3 https://www.storuman.se/larcentrum retrieved 2018-01-24 4 http://www.fhsk.nu retrieved 2018-01-24 10

industries or energy and construction industries. Because the labour market is small and actually consists of two labour market regions, there are few career paths. 5

More than half were satisfied with the availability of cultural events (63 %). More than three quarters were satisfied with recreational activities (77 %) and the vast majority were very satisfied or satisfied with the possibilities for outdoor activities in nature (92 %). Half of the respondents were satisfied with recreation, parks and playgrounds (50 %). Several playgrounds have been restored or newly built in the municipality, but so far only in larger towns (Storuman, Stensele, Hemavan, Tärnaby). About half of the respondents were satisfied with the condition of roads and streets (49 %), but slightly more than three-sevenths were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the same (46 %). More than two thirds were satisfied with private services (70 %) and public services provided by the municipality (71 %).

The supply of houses/property 4,1 31,8 15,2 2,8 44,2

The price level of housing 9,2 39,6 12,9 1,4 35,5

Land use and general planning 2,3 33,2 11,11,8 48,4

Education, work and career opportunities 2,3 39,6 21,7 7,4 28,1

Supply of cultural and other events 4,1 59,0 13,8 0,9 21,2

Free time activities 19,8 57,1 7,40,5 14,3

Opportunities for outdoor activities in nature 51,6 40,6 1,80,04,1

Recreation, parks and playgrounds 4,1 46,1 18,4 5,5 23,5

Safety 0,9 42,4 10,11,8 43,3

The condition of roads and streets 1,8 47,5 38,2 7,83,7

Private services in the municipality 6,9 63,1 7,41,4 19,4

Public services provided by the municipality 6,0 64,5 9,71,8 17,1

0,0 20,0 40,0 60,0 80,0 100,0 120,0

Very satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied I don't know No answer

Figure 8. How satisfied are you with the following in Storuman municipality? 4. General attitudes toward mining The table below describes a free answer field in the survey. The statements are ranked based on how many respondents mentioned them with the number of persons in brackets. Nothing was described as the biggest opportunity that a mine can offer with jobs as the second largest opportunity. Pollution/environmental devastation was seen as the greatest potential threat.

5 Lindahl, T., Lundberg, M., Emanuelsson, C., Larsson, M. and Stensson, P. (2016) Investeringseffekter i Storumans kommun 2015-2030. 11

What are the positive impacts of mining on your life? What are the negative impacts of mining on your life?

- Nothing (75 persons) - Environmental degradation/pollution/contamination - Jobs (64 persons) (108 persons) - Flourishing community (16 persons) - Contaminated water (38 persons) - Do not know (16 persons) - Destroyed/impaired fishing, hunting, berry and - Possibility to stay (9 persons) mushroom picking, outdoor activities (30 persons) - In migration (8 persons) - No negative effects (18 persons) - More service (6 persons) - Do not know (16 persons) - Tax revenue (4 persons) - If the mine does not take responsibility for the - High pay jobs (3 persons) village/bankruptcies are expensive for taxpayers (14 - That the airport in Gunnarn can reopen (2 persons) persons) - Foreclosure of property/disturbances (9 persons) - Negative effects (8 persons) - Labour is taken from outside, profit disappears from the village (8 persons) - Anxiety/uneasiness (5 persons) - Forced to move (4 persons) - Damaged roads/increased traffic (4 persons) - The serenity is disturbed (3 persons) - Negative impact on tourism (3 persons) - Reduction of property value (2 persons) - Overheating the economy. Not enough preschool places (1 person)

- Impairment of reindeer pasture (1 person)

- Not being invited to information about mining (1 person) Present

What future possibilities does mining bring to your life? What threats does mining bring to your life?

- Nothing (74 persons) - Threaten the environment (93 persons) - Jobs (30 persons) - Contaminated watercourses/destroyed fishing (60 - Do not know (23 persons) persons) - More people leads to more service/more companies (15 - Forced to move (20 persons) persons) - Do not know (18 persons) - Work so we can stay/in migration (10 persons) - Nothing (17 persons) - Provides the municipality with more money (8 persons) - Illness/injuries (9 persons) - Young people can stay (4 persons) - Impaired outdoor activities (9 persons) - Higher wages (4 persons) - More traffic/noise (8 persons) - Positive spirit in the society (4 persons) - Contamination (6 persons) - Opportunity to change profession (3 persons) - Barsele village can be ruined (5 persons) - Moving from the municipality (2 persons) - Foreclosure of real estate (5 persons) - Improved communications, e.g. airport (2 persons) - Remediation with tax funds (4 persons) - Tourists/visitors (2 persons) - Reduced tourism (3 persons) - The school can remain open if there are more children (1 - Depopulation when the resources ends (2 persons) person) - More companies in connection with the mine (1 person)

- Early retirement (1 person) Future

Figure 9. How would you assess the effects of mining on your life now and in the future?

Half of the respondents were neutral to the statement that mining has led to new social networking opportunities (51 %) or that it has brought people sharing their opinions to the area (51 %). More than two thirds thought mining has damaged the environment (73 %). This can largely depend on the mine-related environmental disaster caused by the abandoned mines in Svärtträsk and Blaiken. At

present, actions by the Geological Survey of Sweden are carried out with money from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.6

Two fifths did not think the municipal authorities listen to locals in mining-related issues (39 %), but more than a third were neutral (36 %). Four fifths did not agree with the statement that mining has improved the image of the municipality (79 %), has increased the attractiveness of the village (80 %) or has had a positive impact on the atmosphere in the village (78 %). More than a quarter thought that mining has reduced the security of the village (28 %), but more than two fifths were neutral (42 %).

Mining has brought new possibilities for social 7,4 9,7 50,7 12,0 16,6 3,7 networking

Mining has brought people who share my views 4,6 7,4 51,2 18,9 13,4 4,6

Mining has harmed the environment 49,3 23,5 13,8 6,03,24,1

The municipal authorities listen to local people in 3,2 16,1 36,4 21,7 17,5 5,1 mining-related issues

Mining has uplifted the image of the municipality 4,6 12,4 29,0 23,0 26,7 4,1

Mining has decreased safety in the village 14,7 12,9 41,9 15,7 10,1 4,6

Mining has increased the attractiveness of the village 6,0 11,1 28,1 22,1 29,5 3,2

Mining has had a positive impact on the atmosphere in 6,9 11,1 23,0 25,8 29,5 3,7 the village

0,0 10,0 20,0 30,0 40,0 50,0 60,0 70,0 80,0 90,0 100,0

Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree No answer

Figure 10. The impact of mining on the village

The majority did not think that mining had any major impact, except in terms of education, work and career opportunities, where more than two-fifths felt that it had a significant positive impact or positive impact (44 %). Almost as many also thought that the impact on opportunities for outdoor activities in nature was negative or very negative (43 %), while one-eighth found that mining has had a positive impact or a very positive impact (12 %). The majority found that mining has not affected housing/real estate, housing prices, land use and urban/local planning, access to cultural and other events, leisure, recreation, parks and playgrounds, security work, roads and streets, private services at the village and services provided by the municipality.

6 https://www.sgu.se/samhallsplanering/fororenade-omraden/bidragsfinansierad-sanering/svarttraskgruvan retrieved 2018-01-24. 13

The supply of houses/property 2,8 12,4 12,4 2,3 60,8 9,2

The price level of housing 1,8 20,3 6,04,6 59,0 8,3

Land use and general planning 1,8 13,4 11,1 6,0 58,1 9,7

Education, work and career opportunities 6,0 37,8 5,11,8 40,6 8,8

Supply of cultural and other events 0,910,6 6,01,8 71,4 9,2

Free time activities 2,310,6 16,1 11,5 52,5 6,9

Opportunities for outdoor activities in nature 2,8 9,2 21,2 21,7 38,2 6,9

Recreation, parks and playgrounds 1,48,3 10,1 4,6 65,4 10,1

Safety 0,9 16,1 9,2 4,6 59,0 10,1

The condition of roads and streets 1,4 17,1 14,7 5,5 53,0 8,3

Private services in the municipality 4,1 30,4 6,01,8 49,8 7,8

Public services provided by the municipality 2,8 18,4 9,7 1,8 59,0 8,3

0,0 20,0 40,0 60,0 80,0 100,0 120,0 Significant positive impact Positive impact Negative impact Significant negative impact No impact No answer

Figure 11. . Has mining affected the following issues in the municipality of Storuman?

Approximately one third were neutral to (30 %) or did not know (29 %) if self-sufficiency of the European Union in ore production needs to be strengthened. Two fifths did not consider mining important to maintain the current living standard (40 %). Two thirds believed that mining can be organized more responsibly in Sweden than in the least developed countries (66 %). More than two- fifths believed that science and technology can solve the sustainability issues of future mining (43 %) and as many can accept a reduction of living standards to protect nature (43 %), while one fifth was not prepared for such sacrifice (20 %). Two fifths believed that mining and sustainable development do not exclude each other (41 %).

More than two-thirds believed that there should be a special tax for mining companies operating in Sweden (71 %). Slightly less than two thirds thought that mining companies operating in Sweden should have Swedish owners (64 %) and that mining companies should finance public services in greater extent than they do now (62 %). A third considered or were neutral to the statement that the economic growth should be a priority even if it means that the environment suffers to some extent (32 %), while slightly less than two thirds do not agree (62 %). Half of the respondents thought that economic fluctuation makes the mining communities vulnerable (52 %) and one third did not think that the locally experienced adverse effects of mining outweigh the benefits (34 %). A little more than two fifths did not consider the mining operations acceptable (43 %). Half of the respondents were neutral to or uninterested in mines and mining related issues (52 %), while two fifths found that mining and mining related issues is interesting (41 %).

The self-sufficiency of the European Union in ore 6,5 15,2 29,5 7,4 7,4 29,0 5,1 production needs to be strengthened Minig is essential to sustain the present standard of 8,8 18,0 23,0 18,0 21,7 6,93,7 living Science and technology can solve the problems of 11,1 32,3 23,0 7,8 7,8 13,8 4,1 sustainability in future mining projects Mining and sustainable development do not rule each 10,6 30,0 20,3 12,9 9,2 12,9 4,1 other out Mining operations can be organised more responsibly in 30,9 35,0 15,2 5,12,37,44,1 Sweden than in the least developed countries I can accept a decrease in my standard of living to 16,6 26,3 30,4 13,4 6,92,34,1 protect nature Economic fluctuation makes mining communities 24,0 27,6 24,4 1,40,9 15,7 6,0 vulnerable There should be a special tax on mining companies 44,7 25,8 16,1 0,92,85,14,6 operating in Sweden Mining companies operating in Sweden should be 38,2 25,8 21,7 4,13,22,84,1 owned by Swedes Mining companies should fund public services (e.g. the 27,6 34,1 19,8 0,54,6 8,8 4,6 infrastructure) more than they do today Economic growth should be a priority, even if it means 4,6 13,4 13,8 21,7 40,1 2,34,1 that the environment suffers to some extent The locally experienced adverse effects of mining 13,8 22,1 17,5 12,9 20,7 8,3 4,6 outweigh the benefits

The mining operations are acceptable 9,7 19,8 20,3 13,4 29,5 3,24,1

I find mining and everything connected to it interesting 12,9 27,6 26,7 8,8 16,1 1,86,0

0,0 10,0 20,0 30,0 40,0 50,0 60,0 70,0 80,0 90,0 100,0

Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree I don't know No answer

Figure 12. General views on mining

5. Social license to operate and regulatory control Just over a third did not think that the mine in Pauträsk paid compensation for negative effects (36 %) or that the company is committed to developing the municipality (36 %). One third did not think that the follow-up of the operation works (32 %) or that the locals are able to participate in decision- making (35 %). A little less than a third did not think they have enough information in mine related issues (30 %), almost as many thought that the reliability of the data on the mining project is not satisfactory (29 %). As for the location of the deposit, almost a third were positive to it (29 %) and about the same number thought they were able to express their opinion openly (31 %). One-fourth was dissatisfied with the estimated operating time of the mine (24 %). In the survey one respondent wrote "Do not want mine nearby. Too little responsibility for mines to remediate if they go bankrupt. Excessive impact of nature. Everyone fixates on job opportunities. But mines only have a short life span."(Respondent number 34).

Pauträsk

The company’s engagement in developing the 35,5 7,8 48,4 municipality

Possibility to express one’s opinion openly 20,3 15,2 48,4

Monitoring of the operations 32,3 7,8 49,3

Compensation of possible adverse effects 35,9 8,3 48,4

The possibilities of the locals to participate in decision 34,6 11,1 46,5 making

Estimated operating time of the mine 24,4 10,6 51,6

The location of the deposit 20,7 13,8 50,2

Reliability of the information concerning the mining 29,0 13,4 47,0 project

Sufficiency of information in mining related issues 30,4 13,4 46,1

0,0 10,0 20,0 30,0 40,0 50,0 60,0 70,0 80,0 90,0 100,0

Weak Adequate Fair Satisfactory Good Very good Outstanding No answer

Figure 13. Social license to operate the mine in Pauträsk

Half of the respondents found that no compensation for negative effects for the mine in Barsele was given (49 %). More than two-fifths found that the company's commitment to developing the municipality is too low (42 %) and that the opportunities for locals to participate in decision-making are lacking (42 %). Slightly less than two-fifths did not think that the follow-up of operations is working (38 %) and about the same number of people were dissatisfied with the estimated operating time of the mine (37 %). A little more than a third thought the location of the deposit is wrong (37 %) and that the information in mining-related questions is not sufficient (37 %). Almost two-fifths found that the reliability of the data on the mining project is too poor (38 %). Slightly more than two-fifths

found it possible to express their views openly (43 %), but one-fifth thought that the opportunity to express their views openly is weak (20 %).

Barsele

The company’s engagement in developing the 41,5 13,4 36,4 municipality

Possibility to express one’s opinion openly 19,8 20,3 36,9

Monitoring of the operations 37,8 14,3 37,8

Compensation of possible adverse effects 48,8 8,3 35,9

The possibilities of the locals to participate in decision 42,4 13,8 34,6 making

Estimated operating time of the mine 36,9 13,4 38,7

The location of the deposit 36,9 12,4 37,8

Reliability of the information concerning the mining 38,2 16,6 35,0 project

Sufficiency of information in mining related issues 36,9 17,5 35,0

0,0 10,0 20,0 30,0 40,0 50,0 60,0 70,0 80,0 90,0 100,0

Weak Adequate Fair Satisfactory Good Very good Outstanding No answer

Figure 14. Social license to operate the mine in Barsele

One third did not think that the company in Högland is committed to developing the municipality (33 %), give compensation for any negative effects (34 %) or provide sufficient information in mining related issues (33 %). A little less than a third also did not think that locals are able to participate in decision-making (31 %) and about the same number thought that the follow-up of the operation is lacking (30 %). Just over a quarter thought that the estimated operating time of the mine is weak (27 %), about a quarter did not think that the location of the deposit is good (24 %) and slightly less than a third did not think that the data on the mining project is reliable (31 %). A quarter thought that they have the opportunity to express one’s opinion openly (24 %).

Högland

The company’s engagement in developing the 32,7 6,0 57,1 municipality

Possibility to express one’s opinion openly 18,9 13,8 57,1

Monitoring of the operations 30,0 6,5 58,5

Compensation of possible adverse effects 34,1 5,1 56,2

The possibilities of the locals to participate in decision 31,3 8,8 55,8 making

Estimated operating time of the mine 26,7 7,4 59,9

The location of the deposit 24,4 7,8 58,1

Reliability of the information concerning the mining 30,9 8,3 55,3 project

Sufficiency of information in mining related issues 33,2 7,8 54,4

0,0 10,0 20,0 30,0 40,0 50,0 60,0 70,0 80,0 90,0 100,0

Weak Adequate Fair Satisfactory Good Very good Outstanding No answer

Figure 15. Social license to operate the mine in Högland

More than a quarter did not think that licences for mining are given on reasonable grounds (28 %), less than a quarter were neutral (22 %) and quite a few found that licensing is given on reasonable grounds (12 %). A little more than two fifths did not think that the license is sufficiently binding (42 %), almost one fifth were neutral (18 %) and a few thought that the licensing is sufficiently binding (3 %). More than half believed that mining legislation and monitoring should be tightened even if it would reduce foreign investment (67 %) and one-eighth were neutral (13 %).

Two fifths did not think that the environmental authorities are reliable in monitoring the effects of mining operations in Storuman (41 %), while almost one fifth thought that the environmental authorities are reliable (17 %) and about the same amount were neutral (18 %).

More than half did not think that the monitoring of mining operations is sufficiently effective (54 %), a little less than one-sixth were neutral (15 %) and slightly less than one-eighth found monitoring is effective enough (11 %). A little more than two fifths did not think the allocation of responsibility for mining supervision is clear (42 %), one-sixth were neutral (16 %) and one-eighth found that the distribution of responsibility is clear (12 %).

One third did not know if mining licensing is granted on reasonable grounds (32 %) or if it is sufficiently binding (31 %). A quarter did not have knowledge about the distribution of responsibility (25 %) and one-fifth did not know if the environmental authorities are reliable (19 %).

The licences for mining are given on reasonable grounds 4,6 7,4 22,1 10,6 17,5 31,8 6,0

The licencing of mining activities is not binding enough 23,0 18,9 17,5 1,41,8 31,3 6,0

Mining-related legislation and monitoring should be 42,9 24,0 13,4 1,81,810,1 6,0 tightened even if it would decrease foreign investment

The environmental authorities are trustworthy in monitoring the impacts of the mining activities in 3,7 12,9 18,0 19,4 21,2 19,4 5,5 Storuman

Monitoring of the mining activities is not effective 24,0 29,5 14,7 3,76,9 15,7 5,5 enough

The allocation of responsibility in monitoring of the 4,17,4 15,7 21,2 20,7 24,9 6,0 mining activities is clear

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree I don't know No answer

Figure 16. Monitoring of mining

Just over two fifths found that the balancing of mining and other industries in the village has been successful or were neutral to the statement (42 %). About half did not think that mining is essential for the vitality in the municipality (49 %). More than a quarter did not think that the mines created enough possibilities for the local businesses (27 %) and almost as many were neutral to the statement (26 %). A little more than a third were neutral to the linkage between the municipality and the mining companies (35 %). Nearly a third did not think that the local economy has benefited from mining (30 %). More than two-fifths did not think mining has had a positive impact on the local population (43 %) while almost two-fifths were neutral or thought mining has had a positive impact on the population (38 %). Just over a third did not think that the local population is informed about mining related issues immediately after the information becomes available (36 %). Just over half did not think it is easy for locals to participate in the mining decision making processes (54 %). Slightly less than half did not think the decision-making processes in the mining industry are understandable (45 %). About half did not think the municipal authorities have sufficient knowledge about mining related issues (48 %). Almost one third did not think that there is enough skilled labour force in the locality for the needs of the mining sector (29 %). Two fifths believed that the mining sector has actively employed locals (40 %).

The reconciliation of mining and other livelihoods in the 2,88,3 30,9 12,9 15,2 24,9 5,1 locality has been successful

Mining is essential to the vitality of the municipality 6,0 15,7 14,7 20,3 29,0 9,7 4,6

The mines have not created enough possibilities for the 8,3 18,4 26,3 10,1 6,5 25,3 5,1 local businesses The local economy has benefitted from the mining 5,5 22,6 15,2 15,2 14,3 22,1 5,1 activities

Mining has had a positive impact on the locals 4,6 15,2 18,4 21,2 22,1 12,9 5,5

The linkage between the municipality and the mining 6,0 11,5 35,0 10,12,8 28,1 6,5 companies is too strong The locals are informed about mining-related issues right 1,811,1 21,7 21,7 14,7 23,0 6,0 after the information becomes available It is easy for the locals to take part in the decision-making 0,97,8 15,7 31,8 22,6 16,1 5,1 processes related to mining The decision-making processes of mining are 1,44,6 18,0 27,6 17,1 25,3 6,0 comprehensible The municipal authorities have enough knowledge about 0,56,5 19,4 27,6 19,8 20,3 6,0 mining-related issues There is enough skilled labour force in the municipality 4,1 17,1 21,7 24,4 4,6 22,6 5,5 for the needs of the mining sector

The mining sector has employed locals 7,8 32,3 18,0 18,0 3,7 14,7 5,5

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree I don't know No answer

Figure 17. Decision making and socio-economic impacts

In the free answer fields, respondents wrote, among other things, that mines are positive for the local economy and there should be rules for the mining companies stating that they must employ local entrepreneurs. The final question asked whether the respondents had something else to inform about the municipality, mining or the questionnaire. A number of respondents wrote that they want more information about mining and that the municipality should give more people the opportunity to comment on mining.

The results are similar to those in the report "Fjällnära Gruvdrift?". where respondents believe that the processes are not democratic, open, equal, and inclusive. Those who have participated in the mining processes have reduced confidence in the authorities' way of working on mine establishment issues and became more negative towards mining establishments. Most of the study participants have not participated in any of the ongoing mining processes. It is noted that the legitimacy of political and other decisions increases with dialogue, consultation and transparency. Even in this study, there are those who see positive effects of a mining establishment concerning the economic aspects (growth, influence, own life situation). 6. Environmental impacts More than four fifths believed that the biggest impact of a mine will be on the landscape (86 %), land animals/fish/plants (83 %), fishing/hunting (83 %) and water systems (83 %). Four fifths also believed that agriculture/forestry (81 %), dust (80 %), recreation (79 %) and noise (78 %) will be heavily

affected. Approximately three-quarters believed that there will be a big impact on berry and mushroom picking (77 %), tourism (76 %), radiation, hazardous chemicals (74 %), reindeer husbandry (74 %) and road safety (72 %). Minimal impact was believed to be caused by odour (65 %), earthquake caused by mining (53 %) and lightning (48 %).

The free field answers showed that the respondents value nature very much “Exploitation and destruction of nature, which is a major part of why anyone would actually want to live in Storuman municipality” (respondent 83) and that the respondents believes that the municipality has a major responsibility for land exploitation "My opinion is that the municipal council has a major responsibility in terms of all exploitation of the municipality. They must not fixate on a few jobs and some economic growth. They have a great responsibility for future generations. It is so fast to destroy the nature here. Nature that actually is a reason to why people have stayed here and moved here!! "(respondent 173).

The final question asked whether the respondents had something else to inform about the municipality, mining or the questionnaire. A majority responded that it is important to consider the environment, the water courses, the fish and the people. Many expressed concern about the potential impact of a mining establishment on the environment and the relatively short operating time of a mine.

Impact on agriculture/forestry 36,4 23,5 21,2 12,0 6,9 Impact on reindeer herding 30,9 18,9 24,4 18,0 7,8 Impact on the tourism industry 30,0 22,6 23,0 16,1 8,3 Impact on recreation 35,9 24,4 18,4 13,4 7,8 Impact on fishing/hunting 52,1 18,0 12,9 11,1 6,0 Impact on picking berries or mushrooms 35,5 20,7 20,3 16,6 6,9 Traffic safety 23,0 27,2 21,7 17,5 10,6 Radiation/hazardous chemicals 34,6 18,9 20,7 17,1 8,8 Lightning 6,5 15,2 25,8 42,9 9,7 Odour 17,5 17,5 29,5 26,3 9,2 Mining caused earthquake 13,8 18,0 20,7 38,2 9,2 Noise 32,3 24,0 22,1 14,7 6,9 Dust 35,0 26,3 18,9 12,4 7,4 Impact on landscape 57,1 21,2 7,8 6,9 6,9 Impact on land animals/fish/plants 53,5 22,6 6,9 10,1 6,9 Impact on water systems 58,1 15,2 9,2 10,1 7,4

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Significant impact Moderate impact Minor impact No impact Inget svar

Figure 18. Environmental impacts of the mining projects

Similar opinions are found in the report "Fjällnära Gruvdrift?", where those against mining argue that itis not sustainable in the long-term to extract a finite resource, due to the unacceptable ecological effects.

7. Conclusion Although the low response rate of nearly two-fifths of those who received the survey is common today, it points to the fact that the question of mining is not as engaging as one might think.

Those who answered the survey were content living in Storuman municipality. A large majority stated that they were happy to live in the area and thought they have a large social network and people in close range with similar interests and thoughts. The respondents feel that the environment is clean and tidy, that they have a nice neighbourhood and they were satisfied with private and public services.

A large majority was also very pleased with the possibilities for outdoor activities in nature and the environmental disaster in Svärtträsk/Blaiken has probably contributed to the respondents overall negative view of mining. There was a great deal of concern about environmental degradation and consequences of it, such as losing the possibility of hunting, fishing and berry picking or suffering from pollution caused by mining. Half of the respondents express concern about environmental destruction, pollution and contamination, and slightly less than four fifths believed that mining has damaged the environment. The respondents perceived that the mining companies do not engage in the village or compensate for adverse effects and that may be a reason why a little more than two fifths did not consider the mining operation in the village acceptable. A little more than a third saw no opportunity with a mine, slightly more than a quarter saw potential jobs as a positive effect of a mine.

Especially the mine in Barsele was seen as a threat to the population. Half of the respondents found that compensation for negative effects for the Barsele mine is missing, more than two fifths thought that the company's commitment to developing the municipality is too low and the opportunities for locals to participate in decision-making are lacking. A large majority did not think mining had a positive impact on the atmosphere in the village and a little less than half did not think mining has had a positive impact on the population.

Most decisions regarding mining are not taken at municipal level, but the municipality can make an effort to inform residents about mining and work for a functioning dialogue. It is unlikely that this will cause residents to look at mining in the same way, but there is an opportunity to contribute to mutual understanding. A little more than half find it difficult for locals to participate in decision- making processes concerning mining and slightly less than half did not think the decision-making processes are understandable. There was also a lack of confidence in the municipal authorities, but about half did not think they have sufficient knowledge about mining-related issues. There was concern that this questionnaire will be used by the municipality for legitimizing mining. Two fifths did not feel that local authorities listen to locals in mining-related issues, but more than a third were neutral.

Respondents believed that mining companies should take more responsibility for society and many hope for technology development. The majority considered that there should be a special tax for mining companies operating in Sweden, that the mines should have Swedish owners, and that the mining companies should finance public services to a greater extent than they do now. More than two-fifths believed science and technology can solve the sustainability issues in future mining. Two fifths believed that mining and sustainable development do not exclude each other.

There were only a few areas in the social life of the village that the respondents believed is affected by mining, but on the other hand, it was considered to have a great impact on nature. The majority did not think that mining has any major impact on social life, except in terms of education, work and

career opportunities, where more than two-fifths found it to have a significant positive impact. A large majority believed that mining primarily affects the landscape, land animals/fish/plants, fishing/hunting and water courses. Just over two fifths found that mining had a negative impact on opportunities for outdoor activities in nature. The majority did not agree that economic growth should be a priority if the environment suffers. Fewer than half could accept a reduction of living standards to protect nature.

An expectation was that the survey would provide evidence that in turn could increase the support for the Sami population in mining matters, but since such a small proportion stated that they belong to the Sami minority, this is not possible. Three quarters had lived for more than 10 years at their place of residence and therefore probably have a strong link to the village. There seems to be a large out migration of young people from the villages, as almost half of the respondents were retirees and the proportion of people in the labour force was slightly more than two fifths. The education level can also reflect this fact. Two fifths had primary and secondary schools as the highest completed education and slightly more than a quarter had university, college or vocational education.

The nature-based industries are important to the municipality, and slightly more than a third stated that they have a significant part of their income from one of them. A small number stated that someone in the household works in a mine, but a quarter informed that someone in the household owns a property where there is an existing or planned mine.

8. References Beland Lindahl, K., Zachrisson, A., Viklund, R., Simon, M. and Fjellborg, D. (2016) Fjällnära Gruvdrift? Konflikter om vägar till hållbarhet. Kuisma, M. and Suopajärvi, L. (2017) Social Impacts of Mining in Sodankylä. University of Lapland. http://www.reginaproject.eu/resourcecentre Lindahl, T., Lundberg, M., Emanuelsson, C., Larsson, M. and Stensson, P. (2016) Investeringseffekter i Storumans kommun 2015-2030. Nordregio database https://www.arbetsformedlingen.se retrieved 2017-12-21. http://www.fhsk.nu retrieved 2018-01-24. http://www.georange.se retrieved 2017-12-21. https://www.sgu.se/samhallsplanering/fororenade-omraden/bidragsfinansierad- sanering/svarttraskgruvan retrieved 2018-01-24 https://www.storuman.se/larcentrum/Service retrieved 2018-01-24. http://www.storuman.se/lekplatser retrieved 2018-01-25