Reducing water discharges to protect marine ecosystems
Located in the estuary of the Tornionjoki river on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia and close to nature reserves, the Tornio Works in Finland is probably Outokumpu's most ecologically-sensitive production site. Many studies monitoring the biological, physical and chemical conditions have been carried out near the Tornio site since the 1970s. In 2008, the results of voluntary research concerning the impact of nitrates on recipient water at the Tornio site and the Kemi Mine were published. These showed that impacts are restricted to the immediate proximity of the discharge points at Tornio and cause slight eutrophication. At the Kemi Mine, the impacts on sea areas are in practice negligible.
Pollution prevention techniques being employed by Outokumpu mean that increases in emissions can be avoided, and further reductions from previous levels will be achieved in many cases even at higher than current production levels. Annual studies carried out by Pöyry, a consulting company, have shown that impacts on the sea areas close to the Group's production plants have diminished during the last decade and that the marine ecosystem is in good health.
Outokumpu shoulders its responsibility for the Baltic Sea.
A number of studies which include the continuous monitoring of discharge levels have shown that discharges of chromium and nickel are now 60–80% below the levels measured ten years ago. These metals are considered to be the most significant metals released into the sea by Group activities at Tornio, current discharge levels of chromium and nickel are only a fraction of the total metal loading which originates in the main from natural sources in the northern part of the Gulf of Bothnia. This is because Tornionjoki and Kemijoki, the two local rivers, carry far greater concentrations of these metals into the sea than the combined amount discharged by Outokumpu's Tornio Works and Kemi Mine. Activity in local fisheries located near the Tornio Works is at healthy levels and commercial fishing is carried out near the production plant. Research indicates that the metals released from the Group's facilities do not accumulate in the marine food chain.
Outokumpu is participating in the Baltic Sea challenge with the practical measures it has already taken in the 2000s and will take in the future to improve the condition of the sea. Outokumpu's action programme can be found here.