Seppo Maula Mayor (retired) Maula Conculting Oy

Seppo Maula, Kittil Mayor, retired

Reasons for Kittil to have a positive attitude towards mining

1. History - In the 90s the unemployment rate was 25 30 %

- Tourist Industry offered about 7 000 beds

- Agriculture and Forest Industry decreasing - Population declining and the young ones wanted to leave - Imago was missing

2. Development - Suurikuusikko gold deposit was found in 1986 - Exploration advanced rapidly -The authorities of the Kittil Municipality were informed -A lot of negotiations with the Municipality - The Municipality and mining company joined forces in

negotiations with the State of Finland

EU-Projectet - employers- training and educating - enviromental questions and influences - housing, building of apartments - logistics - fresh water and wastewater - new tecnologi - role of state of Finland and EU in enviromental things and financing - information to local people

- Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd took interest in the gold deposit - The project advanced fast and the feasibility study was positive - The financial requirements for the project good - AEM informed well the Municipality and its inhabitants - The environmental impacts of the project communicated very openly with the locals and the authorities

4. Permitting Process

- Excellent co-operation between AEM and

the Municipality and local inhabitants - Openness - Permitting process rapid with the State authorities - Impacts on employment and tax revenues positive

5. Construction of Kittil Mine

- Strong positive employment impact in the region

- Jobs for approximately 1000 construction workers - Most of the workers from Kittil or neighbouring municipalities - The education of the workforce succesful - Co-operation between the Mine and the Municipality active and working well

6. Current situation: BIG FAMILY

- Kittil Mine employs over 650 professionals

- Over 400 of the employees live in Kittil - The tax revenues of the Municipality increased 15 %

- The unemployment rate sank below 10%

- The number of inhabitants increased, more babies born - The young ones stay in Kittil

- The Mine is well accepted and highly respected

- Offers support for local sports and cultural events and other activities

7. Tourism and Mining - Tourism has grown: 24 000 beds available and it employs over 1300 persons - The total annual revenue of tourism 200 M, the Kittil Mine 200 M - Kittil Mine is located far enough from Levi, 20 km - Both the tourism and the Mine offer jobs -The possible expansion of the Mine creates new jobs

- Kittil Mine informs tourism industry on environmental

matters on a regular basis

- Mining seen in a positive light - Kittil Mine increases the use of tourism services - The attitude towards gold mining is positive

Local people may be the best supporter of mining OR Local people may be the worst opponent of mining Give inform Be onest Listen to the people Co-operation Best consults Trust on the authorities and co-operate New culture

Kittil has two "Gold Mines": Tourism Industry at Levi and the Kittil Mine
Thank You!