The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of February 18, 2019
Green light for mining in the Norwegian Arctic
On February 14, Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries granted an operating license to Nussir ASA for copper mining in Kvalsund municipality, Northern Norway. Along with mining works, the government also approved of eventual mine waste dumping in the nearby Repparfjord. According to the minister, the project is a way to enhance business cooperation in the North and a “positive contribution to development of the local community, with new jobs and competence”. Yet, the positive decision on the copper mine was met with horror and despair by Sami people and environmentalists, who are now planning to appeal the decision in court (EOTA, HNN, Reuters).
Take 1: Norway’s approval of mining in its northernmost region can be seen as a significant landmark in the ongoing debates on sustainable development of the Arctic. Despite all controversy of the project’s aims and goals and it’s consequential environment impacts, Norwegian government still went for it, masking the positive decision behind the veil of “green shift”. What is even more striking here is that the government officials were not able to successfully negotiate the issue with the Sami Parliament, failing to find any compromise on the matter. Norway’s thumbs up to tailings disposal in the fjord has also gained worrisome attention of its close neighbour, who nevertheless seems to use same luring techniques to pursue revenue-seeking and highly controversial industrial projects in the Arctic. With two new gold mines set to open this year in Nunavut, Canada, the mining rush seems to be taking over the Arctic environment at an alarming speed.
Snow Crab Case: Closed?
On February 14, the Norwegian Supreme Court published a ruling, proclaiming that Norway has exclusive rights to snow crab fishing around Svalbard. Following the arrest of the Latvian trawler in the Fishery Protected Zone of Svalbard in January 2017, the so-called “Snow Crab Case” has occupied the minds of Norwegian and EU legal authorities for almost two years now. After agreement has been reached on the fact that snow crabs are sedentary species and therefore belong to Norwegian continental shelf, Norway has now fully gained the right to refuse any EU fishing vessels in the Svalbard Zone (Reuters, IBO, HNN).
Take 2: The legal battle between Norway and the EU for snow crabs does not only reveal present-day disputes over marine resources and fishing rights — it points out to Norway tightening grip on its rights in the High North and its broader claim for resource management and extraction in the Arctic waters. Many experts see the recent announcement of the Supreme Court of Norway regarding the snow crab fishing as a message towards EU member states about Norway’s readiness to affirm its exclusive rights at sea given by the Svalbard Treaty. More on the case can be found in a commentary by Andreas Raspotnik, one of TAI’s experts.
One Independent Media Less for Russia
The infamous letter of the Roskomnadzor warning to shut down the Norwegian media website due to the propaganda of suicide and homosexuality and editors’ eventual refusal to delete the article in question, has now taken its effect. Since February 19, The Independent Barents Observer (IBO) is officially blocked in Russia. This decision has attracted the attention of the Russian State Duma and its notorious member Vitaly Milonov in particular. In his comment, he called the state authorities to take action towards such media as IBO who “cannot care for themselves since they are in degradation and decay”, and claimed it was too late to “appeal to their reason” (IBO, EOTA, Bellona).
Take 3: As pointed out earlier, the blockage of the Independent Barents Observer got a wide media coverage and has been severely criticized by independent media agencies in Russia and beyond. Unfortunately, it is unknown how long the website will stay blocked. Nevertheless, it is still possible to access it in Russia via mobile phone and some mobile browsers. IBO’s editor Thomas Nielsen sees the recent events as a “major blow to the cross-border journalism” in the Barents region. The questions is, if the attack on the IBO could serve as a trigger for developing new ways of professional journalistic cooperation, despite authoritarian trends in the Russian media environment?
UK Military Going Arctic
On his press release on Monday, February 17, UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said British forces were getting ready for Arctic. According to Mr. Williamson, the U.K. has developed and launched a ten-year programme for the Royal Marines to train alongside its Norwegian allies in the High North. Also, Britain is planning to deploy its sub-hunter patrol aircraft in order to protect NATO’s northern flank from Russia (The Telegraph, EOTA).
Take 4: The United Kingdom has recently enhanced its engagement in the Arctic. Since the publication of the updated Arctic policy in summer 2018, the U.K. has repeatedly argued for its significant role in shaping contemporary Arctic issues, both politically and militarily. Thus, Prince Harry’s visit to the Royal Marines deployed in Norway on the Valentine’s day can be seen as a somewhat symbolic representation of the U.K.’s interest in reassuring its power in the North. At the same time, official British approach to the Arctic affairs remains securitised and threat-oriented, rather than promotes cooperation and conflict mitigation. With all eyes on the outcome of the Brexit deal, will the United Kingdom review its agenda in the Arctic in the near future?
Arctic Railway Gets Frozen
In the recent report of the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Arctic railway project was doomed unviable. Apart from numerous financial complications, the railway link from Rovaniemi to Kirkenes would have negative impacts on the Sami culture and environment in the region. The report also mentioned the fact that building the railway link was a time-consuming project, and was not likely to be elaborated any further at least within coming fifteen years (HNN, Over the Circle, Arctic Portal).
Take 5: In contrast to the mining projects receiving green light from the Arctic governments, the temporal rejection of the railway corridor construction between Finland and Norway can definitely be seen as success for the local population. Depending on the outcome of the Sami Parliament’s upcoming appeal to the Norwegian court regarding the mining license grant in Northern Norway, the railway might well never become a reality. Finland’s recent decision to take part in the Rail Baltica will most likely keep it occupied with other railway projects for many years to come.