Kouvervaara 2024

Introduction

GTK is obligated by an administrative enforcement decision issued by the North Pohjanmaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment to take care of the environmental impacts of the boreholes located in Kouvervaara. GTK has carried out ore drilling in the Kouvervaara area of Kuusamo in the 1980s. Some of the drillings have been left leaking groundwater into their surroundings, and the flowing water has formed streams over the decades. The matter has been investigated since 2019 and the leaking drill holes found have already been temporarily plugged.

GTK is obliged to carry out water and sediment quality studies in Kouvervaara and to write a report on the state of the boreholes’ environment. Potentially chemically harmful sediments from streams should also be removed. All leaking drill holes should be permanently blocked with concrete. A survey of drill holes using a drone will be carried out in Kouvervaara in spring 2024, and water and sediment samples will be taken in July 2024. The reports must be submitted to the North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment by the end of November 2024.

Contact person: Tiina Kaipainen

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