The municipality has opposed the mining company Talga's mining plans in Vittangi, about seven miles east of the city of Kiruna, but is now required to draw up a detailed plan following the government's decision. The municipal leadership believes, among other things, that there is a lack of economic incentives.
For every establishment that takes place in the municipality, the municipality is burdened with additional costs. On the other hand, nothing comes back. They take both the natural resources and the profits, says Mats Taaveniku and adds that one becomes "impoverished".
He lacks politics from the government to get labor to move north and construction companies to invest.
Raise the mineral fees, ensure that they go uncut to the municipalities where mining takes place, so that we can cope with this enormous challenge of competence supply, housing construction, and much more, he says.
We need minerals to achieve the green transition, but we are not given the conditions to succeed.
"It's bloody awful"
The Left Party's spokesperson on business and energy issues, Member of Parliament Birger Lahti, understands the anger in Kiruna, which is already "on its knees".
It's bloody awful when the government rides roughshod over the municipality. Kiruna doesn't have people to staff the jobs that already exist. Society is facing masses of challenges when new jobs are created. Then they should give away the mining find that only brings more problems. They must get something back, he says.
Lahti also demands an adjusted mineral fee.
The government should ensure that there are tools when opening a mine. The mineral fee is too low in Sweden.
Create conditions
Kiruna municipality has until May 16 to decide on a detailed plan for the mining operation.
First and foremost, we need to talk about this in the municipal leadership. I believe at the same time that it would be convenient if the Ministry of Enterprise heard from us before May 16 so that we can have a dialogue on how to create conditions for the municipality to receive such establishments, says Taaveniku.
