The Finnish government has submitted a proposal to Parliament to amend the country’s Mining Act, aiming to clarify the conditions for granting exploration permits and to strengthen the legal protection of landowners when mining activity continues on their land.
The proposal, presented on 6 November by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, is part of Finland’s ongoing effort to modernise its mining legislation and align it with both environmental concerns and new EU-level requirements on critical raw materials.
Clarifying exploration permit rules
Under the proposed amendments, Finland’s mining authority would be allowed to grant exploration permits in special cases, even in areas where previous mining rights have expired or been revoked – but only if the applicant is the previous rights holder.
This would apply in cases where the obstacle to issuing a new permit is linked to the transitional provisions of the current Mining Act. The reform seeks to facilitate a smooth transition from operations based on older mining rights to the updated licensing system.
“The intention is to enable continued exploration where there are legitimate grounds to assess the deposit’s potential for exploitation, even if the criteria for extraction have not yet been met,” the ministry said in its statement.
The new rules would allow companies to continue exploration work without unnecessary interruptions, while giving the authorities clearer and more consistent decision-making criteria.
Better compensation for landowners
A key element of the proposal is the introduction of new provisions on compensation to landowners, aimed at ensuring that property owners are properly protected when mining-related activities continue on their land.
The ministry emphasised that exploration and mining projects involve long-term investments and extensive preparatory work before extraction can begin. The proposed legal update would therefore clarify how compensation and permit processes should be managed during transitional periods.
According to the government, Finland’s current legal framework and the layered transitional rules have created uncertainties for both companies and authorities, with several operators ending up in legal grey zones regarding the interpretation of old and new permits.
“The amendments aim to clarify the work of the authorities, improve predictability within the mining sector, and strengthen Finland’s position as a stable and reliable investment environment,” the ministry stated.
Enhancing predictability for the mining sector
Finland’s mining industry is heavily export-oriented, producing nickel, cobalt, zinc, and gold – all metals considered strategically important for the EU’s green transition and battery production. However, mining activity has also sparked environmental and local conflicts, particularly concerning exploration in protected or Sámi territories.
The current Mining Act entered into force in 2011 and has since undergone several revisions. The new proposal forms part of a broader reform package designed to align Finnish law with EU requirements, including the Critical Raw Materials Act, which seeks to secure Europe’s supply of key industrial minerals.
The government argues that the proposed changes will strengthen legal certainty for investors, a prerequisite for maintaining international interest in Finland’s mining sector.
“Mining operations require long-term investment and comprehensive geological studies before extraction can begin,” the ministry noted. “The proposed amendments will create a more stable and predictable regulatory framework.”
Entry into force planned for 2026
The government plans for the amended Mining Act to enter into force on 1 March 2026. Parliament is expected to debate the proposal during the winter, with opportunities for revisions following consultations with authorities, industry bodies, and environmental organisations.
Finland has in recent years sought to balance industrial development with environmental protection, a tension that remains central to this legislative reform. The government aims to combine economic predictability for mining operators with stronger safeguards for landowners and natural environments.
Whether the new law succeeds in striking this balance will become clear only once the first exploration permits are processed under the updated framework.
Fact box:
Finland’s Mining Act, introduced in 2011, regulates the exploration, extraction, and closure of mining areas. The country currently has around 40 active mining projects, several of which are tied to the EU’s strategy for securing domestic raw materials.
Source: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland, press release, 6 November 2025
