Finnish mining company Endomines Finland is accelerating its plans to expand operations in Ilomantsi in eastern Finland. According to Yle, the company is now considering opening three separate gold mines along the so-called southern gold line, following new geological surveys that indicate higher-grade deposits than in the existing mines at Pampalo and Hosko.
CEO Kari Vyhtinen told Yle that the new mines could be located in Kuittila, Korvilansuo and Ukkolanvaara, with the first potential operations starting within a few years. The company intends to continue detailed analyses of the deposits next year before making final decisions. Each of the three sites varies in size and development potential, meaning the projects may advance at different speeds depending on geological results and regulatory approvals.
The southern gold line has long been regarded as an underexplored area with significant mineral potential. The latest surveys appear to confirm that the region may contain some of Finland’s most promising gold resources, strengthening Endomines’ strategic focus on the area.
Environmental measures and impact on the community
The expansion plans raise predictable questions about environmental impacts, particularly for nearby residents. Vyhtinen emphasises that modern mining techniques can reduce local disturbance.
The company intends to move as quickly as possible from open-pit extraction to underground mining where feasible, build noise barriers, and operate less noisy machinery. To safeguard local water quality, Endomines plans to install dozens of monitoring points across the planned production zone.
Vyhtinen told Yle that managing water and ensuring no deterioration in the surrounding environment are the company’s top priorities. He argues that environmental risks can be mitigated if monitoring and protection measures follow established international standards.
When asked if household wells could be affected by mining operations, he responded that the company would take full responsibility.
– “We will do everything we can to prevent this. If something happens, of course, Endomines will compensate,” Vyhtinen said in the original interview.
He also noted that traditional land uses should remain possible despite the expansion.
– “I believe the area can accommodate many different activities. Our own employees value these things very much,” he said, referring to hunting, berry picking and mushroom foraging.
Long operational life and significant investment
According to Endomines, each mine could operate for at least 13–20 years, with the possibility of a longer lifespan if the deposits prove larger than currently estimated. Once mining ends, the open pits would be left to fill with water, while the surrounding areas would be restored.
The company expects to invest between 100 and 200 million euros in Ilomantsi by 2030. Investments next year are expected to reach around 15 million euros. The expansion would also require substantially more labour, with the workforce potentially increasing from around 100 employees today to as many as 500 in the coming years if all three mines proceed.
Endomines plans to hold additional public information meetings early next year before advancing to more detailed permitting steps. Each mine will require multiple environmental and land-use approvals before construction can begin.
The Ilomantsi region has a long history of small-scale mining, but a cluster of three new mines would represent one of the most substantial mining expansions in Finland in recent years. While the projects could bring jobs and investment, they will also face close scrutiny regarding environmental management and community impacts.
Source: Yle
