Investments, Sami and SME's17 Jul 2019 15:34
Mining companies want to support Sami companies
Published at 13.36
From the early mining plans in Gállok / Kallak apart from the local population, the mining company Beowulf Mining wants to safeguard the local community life through a cooperation agreement with Jokkmokk's commonplace and make similar agreements with Sami companies.
See video in the article.
It was at the end of 2014 that Jokkmokks Allmänning, Norrbotten's third largest forest owner entered into an agreement with the then Jokkmokk Iron Mines, today Beowulf Mining. It was about half a million that the company gave to Jokkmokks commonplace with the obligation that they in turn support small business in the locality.
- The mine creates great economic activity. But the big picture here is the economic situation that Jokkmokk can have after the mine. Creating a positive difference in society is what gets me out of bed in the morning, says Kurt Budge, CEO of Beowulf Mining to Sameradion & SVT Sápmi.
At the beginning of the company's time in Kallak, the former CEO asked if there was even a local resistance. It is a statement that Kurt Budge takes away from.
- It was idiotic things that the previous management said, it was disrespectful to the reindeer herders and others in the resort. Something like this I or those who are now in the management have said, we take seriously our role in Jokkmokk.
Recently, Beowulf Mining concluded that they will contribute an additional SEK 300,000 to Jokkmokk's commonplace if their application for processing concession is approved. The case has been with the government for two and a half years. But even though they do not know how it will be with the mine, they still want to support the local business community. According to the exploration company, the sum that they give corresponds to Jokkmokk's commonplace, the common investment in the company Jokkmokks Log. The log house company that recently moved parts of its operations from Finland to Jokkmokk will buy timber from the town.
The similar agreement that Beowulf Mining has made with Jokkmokk's Alliance sees Kurt Budge that they could support Sami small business. They have followed the OECD's report on Sami industries and see that there is a need to support Sami entrepreneurship.
- It goes without saying that we can develop similar designs to support Sami entrepreneurs, says Budge.
We do not comment on agreements entered into, says Jokkmokk's General Manager Christian Rimpi on the phone when we try to get him to an interview about the joint collaboration agreement with Beowulf mining. Representatives of Jokkmokks Log also do not want to be interviewed.
https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2327&artikel=7264125