Criminal investigation has been ordered on Talvivaara’s emissions.

Translation into English from http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/Talvivaaran+kaivoksen+p%C3%A4%C3%A4st%C3%B6t+rikostutkintaan/a1305549035268  

Talvivaara Mining Company Plc, which is located in Sotkamo, has been ordered to be investigated with a possible environmental crime, by the Oulu Police Department/ Economic Crime Unit.

The environmental harm caused by the company started the police investigations, requested by the Kainuu Regional Environment Centre with an official announcement and by private citizens, who told of water and air pollution.

The investigation is just starting in collaboration with industry experts. Only later they will find out, whether or not there is any reason to suspect a crime.

Authority of Kainuu for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment has already called for the company to reduce their emissions. The Centre also wonders whether the mine's operations should be discontinued.

In the neighboring areas waters are foamy and the air smells foul. The company announced their environmental permit earlier at the start of their operations, which was so low in sulfate and manganese emissions that they would not have needed to define the specific limits. Now, the amounts are dozens of times over limits.

The mining company's principal shareholder and Managing Director Mr. Perä asserts that the company has not treated the problems with indifference, but emissions have already been reduced. The company also intends to invest in cleaning the contaminated water.