Crossing-Border Stories in Kvalsund. Norway I was chatting on Skype with my contact Rasmus on the Midnatsol ship on the way to Hammerfest, when I found a book on Sydvaranger, the mine that me and my classmates have visited just one day before in Kirkenes. The book was about success stories and it had really nice pictures of the workers on the iron mine and it showed the industrialization pride of the north, sealed with a big picture of the Great Ambition, first ship to reach China crossing the polar circle from the North Atlantic Ocean. I could not sleep because it was Northern Lights alert and I was certainly excited and eager to see them, amazing journey, which was about to begin. In Hammerfest I met Rasmus and right away we were talking about how he perceived his
place where he was raised, Kvalsund and Hammerfest. So we talked, the most ancient way of doing politics, already inspired by previous lectures and being exposed to a considerable amount of information it was time to certainly synthesis it but instead I did not expect to acquire more; in this time in a different way, perceiving the place; as we are told to do on landscape architecture theory. The first person I met was a Sami guy, Chris, very nice who lend his car to cruise around Kvalsund and take us to different places while I took pictures, this guy barely reached to see the road, between the car panel and the stirring wheel. I think he is the first sami descendant I met, with Chinese eyes style. He did not say much and always let Rasmus do the talking. Certainly both clever boys, I never felt insecure and they really knew the place. I replied with ideas and they could notice my google-earth knowledge of the place so they
start talking about it with excitement. Rasmus told me that the snow scooters are the main activity and that you need a license to drive them. Rasmus had explained to me the social dynamics around the area between Hammerfest and the satellite towns that are connected with bridges and roads to Hammerfest. Kvalsund and specially Skaidi, are not largely populated says Rasmus. He works in Snow White under extreme conditions as cold as -40 degrees Celsius he says. He already knows young people in Hammerfest so he finds it boring sometimes and they go out to Alta or Skaidi and other relatively near places to socialize, the growing economy in Hammerfest and the acquisition capacity has made of Hammerfest an expensive place to live in and pay rent. To
buy a house in Hammerfest is expensive, he says. So people has decided to live on nearby towns, and particularly Skaidi has become a resting place for cottages owned by people that does not live there, all of these flows had started with the rising of house prices in Hammerfest, and that people has decided to live where houses costs are less. On the way to Kvalsund before the bridge, he also showed me the place where both communes Kvalsund and Hammerfest are planning to build an airport as a hint that development is coming, in the end he expects a good future for the area, and he expects Hammerfest to grow as big as Stavanger has grown due to gas & oil industry. After taking some pictures we stopped 3 Kilometers before entering the road to the mine. We entered onto a secondary road that led us to houses placed between the road and
the Fjord. Guided by the zoning plans from Nussir and the Municipality I spotted the waste deposits location on the Fjord. We went out and took a short walk with some sprints on the way. We walked towards Repparfjord and he tested my mountain climbing knowledge, which was not so bad. While walking on Norwegian landscape I slipped and I fell. We laughed and I said that I was not accustomed to the snow but I am good on walking on rocky mountains just not the iced ones. In my country of origin, Ecuador, there are snowcapped mountains, but to access them you need specialized equipment I said. When I told him where the waste was going to be placed he retorted with a funny look and could not imagine that in such a beautiful place, there was going to be a big earth chunk. There were birds squealing on the island that the land refill it’s supposed to bridge. He joked about the birds because their sound was
unbearable and he said that they were even worst in Melkøya Island. After taking pictures there we went to the access road for the mine and we came close to the crushing plant, the old Folldal Verk, standing next to the Road 94, we drove up until we stand in front of a notrespassing pole we stopped and I started my adventure on foot. I borrowed some wool socks, waterproof pants and a goose feather jacket that he had prepared for me on the trunk of the car; I didn’t know what to say but to react with gratitude. Then he remind me of the dangers of coming down with no light I went up there at 14.00 on Sunday March 11, 2012 I walked 2 hours and 30 minutes and came down in an hour and half with a really nice weather. I took the road up and on the way down I entered the landscape. I felt so relieved and renewed up there, the wind, the snow, and the samies on my mind, trying to imagine intelligences on how to walk through. I was not scared, in a way nature has always been kind to me. When I came down Rasmus’ friend took me to Skaidi Hotel, I slept there for a night, the most expensive night that left me with no money to stay another one. So I decided to take the bus and take chances to
the processing plant, once I got there I took pictures and I immediately took off after a snow storm that lasted a few hours, while heading to Kvalsund on one of the last buses
preparation. Where I got the information presented in this text.
to Hammerfest. I rushed out with no possibilities to get a hotel. So I tried to find a place to stay in Kvalsund. I asked around and fortunately met Jørn, who offered me a place to stay, after listening to what I nervously had to say, with my entire new knowledge on mining, and precisely about the situation in Kvalsund regarding Nussir’s investments on the Area. So some knowledge helped me through.
Kvalsund Municipality.
I came to Kvalsund athletic center, where I did three interviews to some relaxed parents watching their kids play. So next morning, I visited the Municipality with a day of
There are two permits that are necessary for Nussir ASA Company to start mining operations in Kvalsund Commune. One is KLIF Environmental License and the second one is the Kvalsund Commune Permit.
Introduction
Dialogs: 18 min 15 sec.
I don’t want to do something that I am not comfortable with, implicitly says Pål Reidar Fredriksen Industrial zoning chief in Kvalsund Commune. He has to draw the zoning plan for Nussir mine based on 21 documents and plans provided by Øysten Rushfeld, who invested 11 million Norwegian kroners on the development of these assessment plans and research papers. There is a group of three persons involved on this task and they are responsible to draw the limits of exploitation.
Pål, John and Trygve and me
Hi I come from Oslo but I am originally from Ecuador. What are you doing here in Kvalsund?, How can we help you? Trygve. I am trying to understand the area. I downloaded this plan too, referring to the industrial zoning plan designed for Nussir, which was posted on the wall. I exposed my ideas: two of them, the first underwater impermeable bag transport to
land refill where necessary, and the second one, toxic pipes, to confine the waste underground on circular hollow columns, and made them come out as high as 20 to 30 m above the ground so we can spot them from far, signaling open pit mining levels high above the ground. Pål told me that a plastic bag would not be enough, because it is a big volume. So he point out another idea which he was thinking on, and he later explained on his office. The studies paid by Nussir ASA, are ranging from prospecting, water quality, landfills and seafills and they will define what actually draws the limits, what a huge responsibility that relies on the shoulder of one guy at the municipality Pål. It actually becomes a matter of ethics I think. Kvalsund is divided; perceptually 60% want the mining industry to be so they can grow as Stavanger or Hammerfest has grown they say. The other 40% are older people, who believe that their children should experience the same nature as they once enjoyed. But what actually happens is that just a few people lives in Kvalsund, and Sami people does not have representation within the commune. Samies,
they are also exploiting the territory in a passive way. They do better understand what the biotopes are I think better than a landscape architect may do I include me. Repparfjord has been affected already by waste refill on its Delta, 1972 and previous tests recommend the waste disposal on the Fjord as an option, due to reconsolidation of marine life on the Fjord. Exploitation of the mine lasts 20 to 30 years, while the fishing environment is threatened, and we know that the material is toxic. What happens after the land lease? This land use rights can be sold away to any enterprise that may then sell them to another as if it was a simple economic transaction. Kvalsund Commune shield has actually three Salmons stretch on the badge, how is it possible to menace that future? We are thinking on shipping the waste out and thinking on the possibility to place the deposits farther away from the fjord. The thought is a landfill for the new airport for Hammerfest which is within Kvalsund’s Commune borders. Why not!!! let’s ship it there. There is place for 12 years of Nussir operation with the best material Norwegian rock and gravel assures Pål.
And now we know that the fjord basin deposits are contaminated there is proof from NIVA, Pål give me a printed copy, so the water quality limits have been exceeded it is obvious that the limits have exceeded, so are there any alternate scenarios? Yes, he answered put it somewhere else, where underwater currents are not so strong, he pointed out the Hammerfest new airport spot. Pump it as a cheap option and containment can be an alternative. Samies and reindeers used to live in Symbiosis, as a survival strategy. Nowadays, they do a passive exploitation of the landscape and their economy depends on reindeer herding. Sami people actually know reindeer patterns, who know better than them? I don’t feel qualified to speak on their behalf and their requirements for their economy. I think their knowledge of the landscape should be spread through the media, in this way, they will have tools to negotiate with the mining industry.
Dialogs for a place to stay in Kvalsund. 2 min 39 sec. and other comments that were not recorded. Francisco: AHO Student Jørn Stenersen: A School Teacher at the Townhall Commune in Kvalsund Municipality What does the Kvalsund community thinks about the waste disposal on the Repparfjord? I listen to the talks in the community. I would say that people are 60 percent on favor and the rest are against the Nussir’s waste disposal on the fjord and in general the mining industry is regarded as poison
material to be thrown on the fjord. Some of the people are radically against and
sometimes they draw strong words to each other and even insults. Now you have of course a perception on that. I was thinking also on the Sapmi people that are around because they fish. Their main activity is fishing and the other main activity is reindeer herding. If you do open pit mining affects reindeers, and if you do waste disposals on the fjord, it affects the fish, and yes they both affect their sustain activity as Sapmi communities, so when they speak in big meetings together I can understand Rushfeld’s
position because he is also doing this community gatherings so they can give ideas to his project, but I saw that he cannot take ideas further from these voluntary groups unless he has really scientific proof and
studies. So he has to try to cope with ideas to try to make this project practical and doable. Yes it is difficult. As I said the people are divided what to think and mean, some of the people don’t have all the information to take a good decision for themselves I think and they are quite uncertain what to think but it is quiet some heat to the discussions.
Yes it is in the whole Norway because if this is approved, other mines will do the same, so this is like a pinpoint mine in Norway, Yeahp.
Conversation 1. 2 min 37 sec.
Work!!! You can work there, well for what is best. And what do you think about the amount of working places that are going to be created and opened? And that a lot of people are going to move to this area I don’t know what can happen I’ll have to see.
Francisco.
What is your name? Edvin.
Edvin: A parent watching his kid play in the Athletic Center in Kvalsund Commune I would like to ask you some question because I think that the mine in Kvalsund is going to be reopened and I think that the new owner is Nussir ASA a company lead by Øysten Rushfeldt. I would like to know what do you think about this reopening and the dumping of the mining waste on the fjord basin? I don’t know it is poisoned. Yes, You cannot touch it maybe It is poisoned but is going to remain in the bottom of the fjord. So, what do you think are the implications for the Sapmi people for example the ones that fish and the other ones that are reindeer herders? They are against all. So the Sapmi parliament is against all of these decisions. And what do you think yourself about it? Would you like it to happen or not?
ASA, and it is led by Øysten Rushfeld and he is the manager and owner of the company and he has a total reliance that mine activity is restarting in Norway and his company will come into play in Kvalsund area. So, what do you think about the dumping waste on the bottom of the fjord? Which newspaper are you from?
Conversation 2. 5 min 29 sec. Francisco Niclas Häkonson, Teacher used to be metal worker. Introduction
Explanations on the Companies located on the Area. Folldal Verk is the location of a mining company administered by Wega and Nussir ASA as the new intervention.
Hello, my name is Francisco. I am interviewing people because you know that Folldal Verk mine is going to reopen we don’t know that yet, but they have sold the company to another company called Nussir
I am not from a newspaper. I am a landscape architect student in Oslo, I don’t think it is going to be published anyway just in my boards. Ok.I think it should be in Folldall and they can put the sand in the sea, because if you put it inland it will go to the sea anyway, but it is gonna be more damage if it goes to the ground water and then out to the sea. I think. Ok But your position is opened towards this….I’ll think is gonna be open, we have to live the company for this little village in order to survive. And what do you think about the new workers if the mine opens? What do you think about the inmigration of new people coming into Kvalsund for example? It is ok yeah as long as they stay in the community, stay here and pay tax, and people live here,
we got new schools, and we got better to the children, football. And I have another idea which might not complement what you are saying now, which is that for example in Kirkenes in Northen Norway there is this mining company called Sydvaranger and this is an Iron ore Mine, which is really big, and the people who works in this company, actually does not live in Kirkenes so they actually commute from other parts of Norway, and they don’t pay taxes and they just go back to the places where they live . Yeah I think ahhhm if it is 200 places to work here and 75 of hundred people come here to live and work and a 100 people comes from another place and go. It is gonna be okey. Hundred people work to have children, to have a family, and they gonna expand positively in Kvalsund now we are 1.000 people in Kvalsund… what do you think about the idea of taking one step further on the metal industry in copper because now it is a crushed material that is about 10 cm also it is not big… Do you think that if you put an industrial smelter here next to the Nussir plant and they can use the energy from Hammerfest which is from the gas plant Snow White, NIcholas complements, that s
right…so becomes this energy tool powering the smelter to have a more refine product would you like that idea also? Yeah I am ahh in my other work in Sweden I was in the metal industry and a metal worker so I don’t have any problem with it. Ok. Thanks a lot, what is your name? Niclas
Conversation 3. 7 min. 26 min. Francisco, AHO Student Terje Vikstrøm, Kids Football Coach It is about the reopening of mining activities in the fjord…No problem Can we talk about it? Yes, So I would like to ask you some questions and one of them is, what do you think about the dump waste on the fjord? Do you think it is positive to have an industry like this? I mean… I think that it is important for Kvalsund as a community to have some industry because you have to see at it in different ways, first you have the environment, and it is ahemm. That’s not good, but I have been living in Kvalsund for thirty years now, a little over 30 years. And I
think if Kvalsund wants to stay as a society we need some industry, we need places where people can work so I am in the local politics here. Ok then I see that you have asked the same questions to more people I think I have asked myself this question many times and I have to say I think that the environment issues still don’t know I think and that is not bad as all say it’s going to be. I am willing to start the mines because I want the whole society to grow and then is like everything in life, what is minus what is plus and you have to make up your own decision about any issues in life. Ok what do you think about this overlaying societies which their main economy is based on fishing on the fjord on Repparfjord and also on reindeer herding which well in this case it is not affected because it is not going to be an open mine pit but it is going to be a subsurface mining, underground. So, I think there is a limit between open pit and subsurface, but what do you think about these other layers of communities that live also in this territory, and I think Do they are part of the Kvalsund Commune? Of course of course they are we don’t have many fishermans in Kvalsund anymore but in Repparfjord you have maybe 5 or 6 local fishermans but it is also a national
Salmon fjord that gives some we can’t do what we want with it. It is banned. Because it is prohibited it is banned yeah ok..- and I have great respect for that, if the Norwegian you know KLIF if they say no this is too much contamination for the national Salmon fjord is ok it is ok. Of course it has been many years since since the local fisherman have fished in this fjord because it is another issue there is not a lot of fish that comes to these small fjords in Norway anymore because the big fisher boats take it take it further out this is my opinion we have to see the whole fish, how we allow big fish boats to layout and take big and very very much fish and very small amount piece of the purple fish come into the fjord Ok .So I have great respect for fishermans and also the Salmon and the Salmon in the rivers but I don’t think that is not my biggest issue I want this community to grow and I think that the best way to grow is… in a way I have two children I want my children to come back to Kvalsund when they are grown up as me because it is a society it is a living society here I think if we don’t get some work for people here we might as well be 500 people living here ,and how many are now around 1000 in 20 years from now 60 or 70 percent of this will be people from 50 that
is my point of view on this case. I am not saying that it has to be a copper mine but we have to make the society to grow we have to make places for our children to work. That is my biggest issue. Do you think that if the mine is not open do you think that will be other kind of activities? Yes, which you know will creative thinking may come out with any other good ideas to Kvalsund? I think so. I think so because a lot of the things that has happened in Hammerfest in the area and see around the area. Oil gas and another industry who comes because of the Oil and the Gas I think if we are as a politic and if we are creative we can create a lot of work here in Kvalsund. Uhum I totally agree ok what is your name? Teria Terry Vickstrom, Ok. thank you. No problem.
Francisco Rodriguez Saa. AHO Student, March 2012.