Aktion Rädda Vättern har skickat nedanstående meddelande till internationella investerare i Tasman Metals Ltd som planerar att bryta sällsynta jordartsmetaller (REE) vid Norra Kärr, norr om Gränna. ----------- We hereby appeal to Your Companys/Fund´s sense of responsibility and ethical rules to abstain from ownership of shares in Tasman Metal Ltd. and avoid contribution to hazardous and environmentally harmful mining activities at Norra Kärr, Sweden, which jeopardize Lake Vättern, one of Europe’s largest freshwater lakes and the most important drinking water resource in Sweden. Due to the fact that You have shown interest in investing in Tasman Metals Ltd`s REE mineral resources in Norra Kärr, Sweden, we would like to call Your attention to the following facts: The 26th of June, 2014, we received a message from the Swedish Supreme Administration Court that the cour t will per form a re-examination regarding the Swedish government´s decision on Tasman Metals’ mining concession, Norra Kärr. Moreover , the Licences to extract minerals under the provisions of the Minerals Act and a permit under the Environmental Code have not yet been received by Tasman Metals Ltd. regarding Norra Kärr. Tasman Minerals Ltd. has neither been able to prove that Lake Vättern will be protected and maintain good water quality during mine operations today nor after a future decommission. Prospecting and mining so close to Lake Vättern could be considered a national health issue. The Norra Kärr REE deposit is located only 1.5 km from Lake Vättern, one of Europe’s largest freshwater lakes, a unique nature reserve declared as NATURA 2000. Today Lake Vättern is a drinking water resource for 250 000 people and in a near future the number will grow to around 2 million people when many cities, including Stockholm, will be connected to this water source. Drinking water of good quality is scarce in Europe and the protection of water, nature and biodiversity is a value in its own right without having an immediate economic value. Lake Vättern is a unique clear water lake with fresh drinking water comparable with our mountain lakes and the protests among inhabitants and local politicians are very strong. Lake Vättern is nutrient-poor, which makes it susceptible to pollution from fertilizer, metals and environmental toxins. The long turnover time (60 years) of the water in the lake makes it very vulnerable to contaminations and the effects of emissions are long-lasting. There are strong reasons to be worried about the negative impact of Tasman Metals’ mining activity nearby Lake Vättern, since this is the most important drinking water resource in Sweden. Norra Kärr REE deposit is located in the nearby fault zone and breaking the crust with consequent displacement of the bedrock implies that it is impossible to accurately assess the development of the fractures that will occur due to blasting in the mine or by earthquakes. From the planned opencast mine, waste rock deposits and clarification ponds several creeks lead the water 1.5 km downstream and directly into Lake Vättern. The planned mining activities could have a serious negative impact on the tributaries of Lake Vättern, flowing from the mining area into the lake. The Swedish authorities are concerned, since there is a considerable risk that polluted water could contaminate the drinking water in Lake Vättern, especially in a longer perspective of more frequent extreme weather systems. In 2007 there was a serious flooding of streams coming from Norra Kärr destroying several roads and similar heavy rainfalls could easily become a catastrophic scenario in the future (see photos from Norra Kärr area 2007* ). In relation to Natura 2000, the centerpiece of EU nature & biodiversity policy, Lake Vättern with its shores and the unique landscape in the fault zone are classified as a Specially Protected Area under the Natura 2000 programme, because of its High Nature Value. The lake holds a number of endemic glacial relicts, arctic species that colonized Lake Vättern after the latest glaciation period. The area is also part of UNESCO’s Biosphere reserves, hence mining and mineral processing in this area can under no circumstances be in accordance with the guidance provided by ISO 26000. - Principles of Social Responsibility: Accountability; Transparency; Ethical behavior; Respect for stakeholders interests; Respect for the rule of law; Respect for international norms of behavior; Respect for human rights The ISO guidance emphasizes the principle of transparency and the value of public reporting on the performance of social responsibility to internal and external stakeholders. The concept of ‘ sphere of influence’ in ISO 26000 is used to delineate the responsibility of an organization over its impacts and that it is aligned with the guidance provided by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Once again, we hereby appeal to Your Companys/Fund´s sense of responsibility and ethical rules to abstain from ownership of shares in Tasman Metal Ltd. and avoid contribution to hazardous and environmentally harmful mining activities at Norra Kärr, Sweden, which jeopardize Lake Vättern, one of Europe’s largest freshwater lakes and the most important drinking water resource in Sweden.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 09:28:25 +0000
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