The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of May 18, 2020

Large Quake in Kiruna Mine

On May 18, the Swedish National Seismic Network reported a 4.1 magnitude earthquake at the Kiruna mine in Northern Sweden, north of the Arctic Circle. The mine ran by state firm Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara AB (LKAB) is the world’s biggest underground iron ore mine with a production of 14.7 M of iron ore products in 2019. Thirteen people were in the mine at the time of the shake, but no one was injured. The earthquake was linked to iron ore mining activities, and the mine is now closed until further notice (Reuters, Sky).

Take 1: The 4.1 magnitude earthquake is big news, as it is the biggest earthquake that is caused by mining, and just shy of Sweden’s record 4.3 earthquake in 2008. The quake reminds us about the risks of ore mining which causes stress to the bedrock. This can pose a great safety risk to workers and the 20,000 people living in the city of Kiruna. LKAB has suggested moving the Arctic city since 2004 and given current residents three options as part of that plan, including relocating the whole city. The Kiruna relocation plan has a cost of an estimated $1 billion, and it puts more pressure on the Saami people of Lapland whose reindeer herding already has been disrupted by the mining activity. However, relocation still seems very much needed. It was reported in 2018 that the mining caverns beneath the town have weakened the structures of the buildings and have opened a crack in the earth that grows wider and closer to the town every year (The Guardian). This combined with the possibility of big, future earthquakes is just a recipe for disaster.

A New Agreement Protecting Arctic Waters

On May 17, the Norwegian government, in accordance with the Law of the Sea Convention and the United Nations Fish Stock Agreement, announced that it has ratified the agreement that counters unregulated fishing in the central Arctic Ocean and promotes scientific research. The agreement clarifies the rights and duties for all five Arctic coastal states, and the distant fishing nations and entities of South Korea, Japan, China, Iceland and the EU in the area. It follows the declaration against unregulated high seas fishing in the central Arctic Ocean that was signed by coastal States in 2015 (The Barents Observer).

Take 2: The area of the Arctic Ocean that is international waters is covered in ice and there is no commercial fishing at present. However, it is good to have the new agreement in place if ice coverage reduces and fishing becomes possible in the next decades to come. The agreement is precautionary and such measures can help avoid problems that have been experienced in other oceans where unregulated fishing activities have developed in the past. This is especially important as the Arctic is one of the Earth’s most fragile ecosystems. With the new agreement, it becomes possible to manage the seas around the North Pole, and it adds to the global effort to curb unregulated fishing.

Melting Ice Means Faster Ship Travel

On May 19, Russia’s biggest liquefied natural gas producer, Novatek, sent a LNG shipment with the Christophe de Margerie ice-class vessel from its production plant in Sabetta, Russia to the Caofeidian terminal in China via the Northern Sea Route. The shipment is set to arrive in China on June 11, and it is more than a month early because the ice that typically blocks the route has already started to thaw (Financial Post).

Take 3: It is not surprising that the Russian company is taking advantage of the thinning Arctic sea ice. That combined with a new class of nuclear-powered icebreakers will soon enough keep the Northern Sea Route navigable year around. While this is positive for companies like Novatek in terms of financial returns, it is alarming for others who see it as a reminder of climate change and how there might be disastrous consequences to come.

Russia Continues to Invest in Deepwater Ports

On May 19, the acting Governor Alexander Tsybulsky of Arkhangelsk, Russia, announced that about $5 million had been invested in a deepwater year-round port near Indiga, a settlement on the Barents Sea coast. The money has primarily gone to conducting geological studies. Going forward, AEON Corporation will be responsible for constructing the port, and the work is set to start in 2021 and be finished in 2025. The total construction cost is set to be $4.13 billion. When completed the hub will have the capacity to handle 80 million tonnes of out-shipment (Tass).

Take 4: The new deepwater port brings a lot of potential for Arkhangelsk and Russia in general. There will especially be many economic gains if the new Arctic-bound railway, Belkomur, will connect industrially developed regions in Siberia and the Urals with the Indiga port. The project is said to add to effective development of Arctic projects and will form an international railway route across Russia between Russia’s European north and China, cutting 800 km of the distance from Siberia and the Urals.

Bodø Set to Become European Capital of Culture in 2024

On Monday May 19, the Minister of Culture and Equality in Norway, Abid Raja, visited the Arctic city of Bodø, and handed out NOK 100 million on behalf of the government. The money will go towards Bodø 2024 when the city will be awarded the status of European Capital of Culture. It will be the first time a city north of the Arctic Circle will hold such a title. The NOK 100 million will cover a third of the overall budget. Municipal and county contributions, as well as private sponsors and contributions will cover the rest (High North News).

Take 5: The fact that Bodø will be the first Arctic Capital of Culture is huge. It promotes the Arctic region in a cultural perspective, but it is also an opportunity for the world to experience what the High North has to offer more generally. This can help put the city and the region on the map of future places to visit, and while this is advantageous as it brings more business development and jobs, it is important that it is all sustainable or it will put undue pressure on unspoiled nature and ecosystems.