Estonian Climate Minister to Discuss Phosphorite Mining in Lääne-Viru County

Estonian Climate minister, awaiting, feasibility Kristen Michal (Reform) has announced that he will discuss potential phosphorite mining in Estonia, specifically in the Toolse deposit of phosphorite in Lääne-Viru County. However, he will not meet with residents in affected areas until the results of a feasibility study are known.

Why this matters: The decision on phosphorite mining in Lääne-Viru County has significant environmental implications, as it could lead to ecological damage if not done sustainably. Moreover, the outcome of this project may set a precedent for future mining projects in Estonia and beyond, making it a crucial issue to monitor.

Michal stated that public discussions about the mining will only be held after the results of the study, meeting, affected are known, as there is no point in debating the issue beforehand. He emphasized that the study will determine whether the reserve is sufficient and can be exploited without environmental damage. If the results are negative, the project will be abandoned.

Representatives from the Estonian Geological Survey have attended public meetings, where locals have expressed dissatisfaction about not being able to meet with climate ministry officials. Municipal leaders in Rakvere, Lääne-Viru County's largest town, have advised against rushing into decisions on phosphorite and urged deep mining over open cast quarrying.

Einar Vallbaum, chairman of the Lääne-Viru County municipalities association, stated: "We first need to research what can actually be done with this phosphorite. Maybe it's so poor that it's not worth mining." He emphasized that open quarries are not an option.

A plan is in place to bring 50 tons of phosphorite to the surface at the Aru-South research area by the end of summer to better understand the value of the phosphorite in the Toolse deposit. Phosphorite is a sedimentary rock used in the chemicals industry, particularly as fertilizers in agriculture.

The planned strip mining of phosphate in Estonia in the 1980s by the Soviet regime was an early subject of protest in the dying years of the Soviet Union and the move towards independence. The results of the current feasibility study are expected in 2026 and will determine the future of phosphorite mining in the Toolse deposit of Lääne-Viru County.

Key Takeaways

• Estonian Climate Minister Kristen Michal to discuss phosphorite mining in Lääne-Viru County.
• Feasibility study results will determine if mining can be done sustainably without environmental damage.
• Public discussions to be held after study results are known, expected in 2026.
• Locals express concerns, advise against open cast quarrying, and prefer deep mining.
• Phosphorite mining has significant environmental implications and could set a precedent for future projects.