During the last months I have posted various blogs relating to the Alum Shale and Scandivanadium’s planned exploration of Vanadium in Österlen. Scandivanadium’s plans for Österlen have made headlines in various media and have also been mentioned recently in the popular science magazine Forskning och Framsteg.
The June issue of the magazine published an interesting article about the ‘dirty side of electric cars’ (my free translation) and the increasing need for innovative metals. Overall, I thought the article presented the different views on this conflict-laden issue very well. But – as it is often the case, the mind gets locked on a specific issue and my mind suddenly only focused on what Christina Wanhainen, Professor in Ore Geology at Luleå University obviously said in relation to Scandivanadium’s plans for Österlen. She partly understands that there are some places in Sweden where there is an opposition to new mines and is cited as follows:
“Imagine that you are sitting at your summer cottage with a lovely view over Österlen and suddenly two guys turn up and tell you that they will take your land and open a mine and build a waste dam.” (My free translation from Swedish).
My eye caught this little part and I started to wonder how staff at Luleå University look at Österlen, its inhabitants and its geology. Sure, there are many summer cottages in Österlen, but there are also many people who live here year-round and who have built up their livelihood here. When it comes to Skåne’s or Österlen’s geology, then this is something very different compared to the bedrock in many other parts of Sweden: the rocks are mainly sedimentary rocks, and not granitic or gneissic varieties. And some of these sedimentary rocks have very special properties. The Alum Shale for example, which is the desired object for Scandivanadium, contains – apart from Vanadium – high amounts of Uranium and other heavy metals.
People here are not opposed to mines in general, there are a few mines already in Skåne, but they are opposed to mining of the Alum Shale. Because history has shown that once the Alum Shale weathers, heavy metals and especially Uranium are released into the groundwater and the surrounding soils. Who would like his/her land to be so polluted that farming is no longer possible?
The summer guests in Österlen have so far not shown very much opposition to Scandivanadium’s plans. The people who have shown that they are against it are farmers, who will loose their land; people who live here year-round and actually several politicians, who seem to understand what is at stake.
Few geologists in Sweden today have extensive knowledge regarding sedimentary rocks and their properties. And those who know and who have done and are doing research on the Alum Shale, have so far not been heard in the media. Instead people with little geological knowledge in respect to sedimentary rocks are cited in the media and Scandivanadium thus has ample opportunities and an excellent platform to lobby for its case. Who can argue against them, when they present their arguments of sustainable mining and a good cause?
Read my other blogs relating to the Alum Shale, if you are interested. More will follow!
Barbara Wohlfarth 