Police conclude probe into illegal waste dumping at Orivesi mine

Finnish police have completed a preliminary investigation into the Orivesi mine, suspecting mining companies stored waste there illegally for over a decade. The case has been forwarded for prosecution consideration this week. The investigation, launched in 2018, uncovered over 300 tonnes of waste raised from the mine, hidden at depths up to 85 metres. Fourteen people are suspected of aggravated environmental damage, with waste allegedly stored between 1996 and 2017. The waste was discovered during an ELY Centre inspection, prompting the police probe. The mine was operated by Outokumpu and later Dragon Mining, with operations ending in 2019.