Natural Resources – Mining – Wind Power and Energy Transmission
The lawyers in our Natural Resources team are seasoned mining law experts who have been involved in mineral exploration and mining projects, as well as gold panning projects in Lapland, covering everything from zoning and various permitting procedures to administrative processes and litigation. Our Natural Resources team includes leading experts in wind power law. We provide comprehensive legal services across the natural resources sector, covering mineral exploration, mining operations, and wind power development.
Mining and Natural Resources Law
Our services include legal advice in mining law, administrative processes, permitting procedures, and litigation in areas such as:
- reservations, exploration, mine establishment, and mine closure
- project assessments, environmental impact evaluations, permit applications, and related litigation
- compliance with nature conservation and environmental legislation
- mining proceedings, compensation matters, and security arrangements
- specific legal requirements for exploration and mining in reindeer herding areas and the Sámi homeland
- negotiations with authorities and stakeholder engagement
Wind power development and energy transmission
We offer legal services and advice for permitting and administrative procedures related to wind power construction, including:
- land use planning
- design and construction of production facilities
- real estate rights (including expropriation)
- project permits for high-voltage power lines
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Natura assessments
Land use and natural resource projects
We offer legal services and advice on land use planning for natural resource projects, including:
- regional land use plans
- local master plans
- local detailed plans
- planning requirement decisions
- National land use objectives
Especially regarding mineral exploration, mining operations, and wind power development in reindeer herding areas and the Sámi homeland
Our Natural Resources team also provides advisory services and impact assessments as a separate service for planned or ongoing projects, particularly in relation to the requirements of reindeer herding or potential Sámi legal issues. One of our team members is qualified to assess the impacts of mineral exploration, mining projects, and wind power development on traditional livelihoods in reindeer herding areas (such as reindeer herding, fishing, and hunting).
Natural resource projects may be implemented in reindeer herding areas and the Sámi homeland. However, projects located in these areas are subject to certain special legal provisions. Administrative and permitting procedures also include specific requirements for projects located in reindeer herding areas or the Sámi homeland.
In the reindeer herding area, which extends from the eastern border south of Oulu to Northern Lapland, the potential adverse impacts of a project on reindeer herding must always be assessed. In the special reindeer herding area (Central Lapland), state-owned land may not be used in a manner that causes significant harm to reindeer herding. In the Sámi homeland — comprising Finland’s three northernmost municipalities and the northern part of Sodankylä — the Sámi people’s right to maintain their traditional livelihoods, including reindeer herding, is protected as a constitutional right. The Supreme Administrative Court of Finland has confirmed that Sámi rights also apply in Central Lapland (KHO 2022).
Contact us – our Natural Resources Law experts are here for you
We provide comprehensive legal services across the natural resources sector, covering mineral exploration, mining operations, and wind power development. Contact us, to learn how we can help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Our team
Reima Raappana, Aimo Guttorm, Jaana Koukkari, Lauri Oja
