According to Norr Media, the emissions have come into focus during the main hearing, where the county administrative board and Talga disagree about the significance of the zinc and mercury that the factory releases into Sörbrändöfjärden.
— Sörbrandöfjörden already has the worst classification for certain substances today. It must not get worse, we see a risk that it will, says Anna-Carin Ohlsson, head of unit at the county administrative board in Norrbotten, to Norrbottens-Kuriren.
For its part, Talga believes that the mercury emissions are so low that they are barely detectable, while the 44 kilos of zinc that are estimated to be released are not much in the context, because the Luleälven annually releases 35,000 kilos, according to the company.
— It becomes clear that the zinc load from Talga’s operations has no real biological impact, said Talga’s representative Joel Mårtensson during the closing remarks, according to NSD.
In April, the Land and Environmental Court granted permission for mining operations outside Vittangi in Kiruna Municipality to Talga. The graphite concentrate is supposed to be shipped to the Hertsö field to produce material used in lithium-ion batteries.
The court’s decision will be announced on June 21.