FINLAND Law and Practice Contributed by: Tarja Pirinen, Marius af Schultén, Fiiu Linninen and Konsta Peussa, Castrén & Snellman
participation in decision-making), and Sámi indige - nous rights. The Act embeds general principles requir - ing necessary expertise, clarity of effects, safety and prevention of harm at all phases of mining operations; exploitation of all mined minerals that are technically and economically feasible to exploit; and avoidance of harmful environmental effects. Property-Like Status Mineral rights have property-like characteristics but remain inherently regulatory and conditional in nature. Permit rights and exploration priority can be pledged by notice and entry in the mining register, support - ing their treatment as valuable assets for financing purposes. 1.6 Granting of Mineral Rights National Authority Tukes, a national agency, grants exploration permits, mining permits (except for uranium and thorium) and gold panning permits. The State Council handles min - ing area expropriation and uranium or thorium mining permits. In cases involving national security concerns, decision-making may shift to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Grant Under the Mining Act Permits are granted under the Mining Act rather than through contracts. The application process involves public notification and the receipt of statements, objections and opinions, and decisions must address comments received. Where applicable, environmental impact assessment conclusions must be included in the application and considered by the authority. The Mining Act also regulates transfer of the exploration permits, mining permits, or gold panning permits to another party. In addition, the Administrative Proce - dure Act as a general act applicable to administrative processes also regulates the processing and decision making of the authority. Co-Ordination With Other Authorities Whilst Tukes is the mining authority, the Finnish Super - visory Agency is responsible for environmental permit - ting and supervision. The Agency, which began opera - tions in January 2026, integrates the former functions of the ELY Centres and Regional State Administrative Agencies into a single national permit and supervision
authority. Certain mining permits can be co-ordinated with environmental, water and mineral aggregate per - mits under co-ordination legislation. Municipal author - ities administer binding land-use plans and building permits. 1.7 Mining: Security of Tenure Exploration Permits Exploration permits are granted for an initial term of up to four years and may be renewed for periods of up to three years at a time, with a total maximum duration of 15 years. Renewal requires substantial implemen - tation of the research plan, effective and systematic work, demonstrated need for further research, com - pliance with law and permit conditions, and absence of unreasonable harm. After ten years, continuation requires written consent from landowners or admin - istrators covering at least half of the exploration area, or State Council approval if an important public inter - est requires it. In addition, the term of the exploration permit can be extended by periods of force majeure interruption. Mining Permits Mining permits remain, in principle, valid until fur - ther notice (subject to ten-year periodic reviews of conditions). However, a mining permit can also be granted for a fixed term, if this is justified in view of the quality and extent of the deposit, the applicant’s ability to meet the conditions for ensuring the com - mencement of mining activities, and other factors that have emerged during processing of the application. A fixed-term mining permit is valid for a maximum of ten years, with extensions available (either indefinite or up to ten years at a time). Extensions require that the deposit has been efficiently exploited, remains eco - nomically viable, and the holder has not substantially Mining permits lapse for failure to commence opera - tions within the required timeframe set out in the min - ing permit, suspension of operations for five years under the holder’s control, failure to obtain necessary land control or ownership within five years, or upon request by the holder with limited postponement options (maximum of twice and in ten years in total). failed in its obligations. Lapse and Cancellation
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