On August 26 a basecamp has been established for the Ranua Rescue Areva Mining Monitors (RRAMM) in Ranua, Southern Lapland. Our aim is to monitor Areva's activities and help support the resistance to uranium mining here, and everywhere.
We have found a beautiful location for the camp, near a lake, within an old forest, on the edge of Areva's massive prospecting claim area. We need thoughtful, respectful people, skills, supplies, support, laughter, and dedication!
Please notice that the camp will be free from alcohol and other intoxicants. We are here as guests, invited by local activists. When you want to come to the camp, contact us beforehand at camp (at) nuclearfreefinland.org or the camp phone +358 40 365 2041, and let us know when you will arrive in Ranua. You can check the www.nuclearfreefinland.org site and the blog http://www.ranuarescue.blogspot.com for news.
Soon we will be sending photos from the area, and a schedule for when people are most needed, what else is needed, and what events will be happening.
The camp needs a lot of materials, tools and skills! If you can help, please contact camp (at) nuclearfreefinland.org (Detailed wish list at the end of this message)
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Background info
Ranua Rescue campaign has set up an observation camp in Ranua, next to the Asentolamminoja prospecting area. The information coming from the authorities and Areva is contradictory. Local people who are resisting the mine are suspecting that words and reality don’t really match.
Areva has stated many times that they are not going research the area anymore before they receive a claim permit from the Ministry of Work and Livelihood. However, there have already been found two pipes drilled into the ground and carefully closed. An expert who saw the photos thinks they might be deep drilling holes. It is impossible to know how deep the drillings go. The head the environmental administration in Lapland has admitted that if Areva wants, it can start even deep drillings with only the landowners permit. The landowners have given Areva free hands.
The Finnish mining law rules over the environmental law, therefore the environmental administration is not even able to stop drillings unless they can say for sure the drillings will severely damage the environment. There are conflicting estimations on what kind of damage the works will inflict on the environment.
This is why the observer camp was set up as soon as possible. The campers are ready to document all work done in the area, and if the company tried to make drillings, they would call for more support and prepare for action. Even the simple presence of mining monitors can hopefully prevent activities that the company does not want to do in public.
It is unclear when the Ministry will give their decision on the claim some time next year. According to the radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, deep drillings are most often made when the ground is frozen, and Areva has the legal right to start already before the Ministry decision.
During autumn we will preparare the camp to be suitable for for winter camping. You can join the camp for one night or for several months, depending on how much time and dedication you have to spend in the wilderness. There are examples of such observer camps elsewhere in Europe, and we will be in contact with them.
WISH LIST
The camp will need a lot of materials, tools and skills! If you can help, please contact camp
nuclearfreefinland [dot] org.
Clothes:
Rain wear, gloves, long underwear, socks, warm clothes.
Camping:
Axes, rechargeable batteries (AA & AAA), blankets, bowsaws, burners, candles, buckets, cooking pans, cutlery, food, first aid gear, gas for cooking, hammocks, lanterns, tarpaulin, tents, sleeping bags, torches and head torches, thermos flasks, tools, building materials like 2x4s, plywood, clay, straw bales, mesh, an old caravan...
Transport:
Bikes, cars, vans, mopeds, and tools to keep them going.
Office:
Phones, computers, pens and pencils, video cameras, cassettes, and any office stuff.
People:
Musicians, climbers, mechanics, carpenters, bakers, sponsors, solicitors, nature-lovers, and everyone else too!
