Euroopan komissio arvioi parhaillaan vesipuitedirektiiviä osana kriittisten raaka-aineiden saatavuuden turvaamista. Tässä yhdistyksemme lausunto asiaan sekä linkki EU:n Have your say -lausuntopalveluun:
Feedback from: Saimaa ilman kaivoksia
‘Lake Saimaa is Europe’s fourth largest lake, covering 4,400 km². Its fragmented structure with over 13,000 islands and narrow waterways makes it unlike any other large lake system. Formed over 10,000 years ago after the last Ice Age, it remains one of the cleanest large lake systems in the world. Its oligotrophic waters are low in nutrients and rich in oxygen, supporting diverse ecosystems.
The maze of islands and channels creates unique habitats for endemic species such as the Saimaa ringed seal, one of the worlds rarest freshwater seals with only around 450 individuals remaining, as well as the Saimaa salmon and Arctic char.
Recognized as part of the UNESCO Global Geopark network, Saimaa holds significant geological and cultural value. It has long been a cradle of Finnish culture, reflected in ancient rock art and traditional fishing communities. Its cottage culture is central to Finnish identity. Around 80,000 cottages are located in the Saimaa region, many family-owned and passed down through generations. These cottages are used year-round and support both local livelihoods and accessible tourism, offering a model of low-impact, nature-based living.
The economic value of clean water in Saimaa is substantial. A 2021 study by ProPuruvesi estimated that a small subsection of Saimaa, Puruvesi, had shoreline property values of €365 million and ecosystem services worth €23.4 million. Applying similar logic to the Greater Saimaa suggests that clean water underpins tens of billions of euros in property value alone, alongside significant tourism and ecosystem benefits.
Any degradation of water quality would have severe economic and social consequences. Despite this, proposed mining projects pose serious risks. Terrafame’s planned expansion in Sotkamo would generate massive amounts of toxic waste containing heavy metals and acidic runoff, stored near major water systems connected to Saimaa. A failure or leakage could contaminate waters for centuries, affecting drinking water, fisheries, and biodiversity.
Other projects, such as the FinnCobalt nickel-cobalt mine and Grafintec’s graphite plans in Heinävesi, threaten to introduce pollutants into waterways that flow directly into Saimaa. Finland’s climate and geology further heighten these risks, as porous bedrock and wet conditions make contamination harder to control. At the same time, low ore grades challenge the cost effectiveness of water treatment systems. Even permitted emissions accumulate, adding pressure to an already vulnerable ecosystem.
Lake Saimaa is one of the few large freshwater systems in the world that remains close to its natural state. Its ecological, cultural, and economic value is immense, yet fragile. Protecting it requires prioritizing long-term water security over short-term gains. Strengthening safeguards – not weakening them – and preventing high-risk activities near its watersheds are essential to preserving this unique ecosystem for future generations. Lake Saimaa can be polluted only once.’
Miisa Mink, chairperson,
Saimaa ilman kaivoksia ry/Lake Saimaa without mines NGO
Link to the above mentioned research: The economical value of Puruvesi