Surroundings at stainless steel sites remain unharmed
Stainless steel production does not employ or reserve large areas of land or have a significant effect on biodiversity in surrounding natural areas. Outokumpu production sites are not located in sensitive areas such as Unesco World Heritage Sites, Ramsar Sites or Unesco Biosphere Reserves. During recent decades, the Group sites have not been found to disturb biodiversity in any unacceptable manner.
Regular evaluations of impacts on biodiversity
None of the species included on the International Union for the Conservation of the Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List, a list reviewing the conservation status of species, are known to be affected by Outokumpu's activities. Although the Group does not have any significant operations in ecologically sensitive areas, impacts on biodiversity at Outokumpu production sites are evaluated on a regular basis as part of environmental management.
The environmental authorities have evaluated the EU Natura areas located near our Tornio site. Reports and statements indicate that the Group's activities do not exert a negative impact or threaten biodiversity in these areas.
At the Outokumpu site in Sheffield in the UK, an area has been established to provide protection for wading birds who nest there during the spring. Measures are taken to ensure that the nesting birds are not disturbed, and ornithologists ring birds as part of a programme to monitor breeding and migration patterns.
During recent decades, the Group sites have not been found to disturb biodiversity in any unacceptable manner.
Former production sites returned to their natural state
Outokumpu takes care to return areas that have been subjected to production operations to their natural state. At the Group's Kemi Mine, waste rock extracted from the mine is now being utilised and intermediate rock storage locations are being used for underground construction and gallery fillings.
At the Kemi Mine, the use of one 22.5 hectare concentrating sand bond in production processes ceased in 2008. Drying out has commenced and landscaping and reafforestation will be carried out in accordance with the remediation plan. Bonds that are still in active use support a rich waterfowl population which includes rare species.
Pöyry, a consulting company, has produced a summary report concerning the effects of wastewaters from the Group's Tornio Works on local sea areas. No significant effects on fish, bottom feeding animals, vegetation or algae were observed. The overall condition of the local sea areas was judged to have improved over the last 10 years.
Decommissioning of earlier closed production sites Meadowhall and Stockbridge in the UK is proceeding according to plans with local authorities. No environmental issues have emerged.