"Chose plague over cholera – Kiruna changes mining plan in Vittangi
Updated today 14:06Published today 14:01
The crack within the block is growing as Kiruna Municipality is now changing its decision regarding the detailed plan for Talga's mine in Vittangi.
– It was plague or cholera and we have chosen plague, says Mats Taaveniku (S), municipal councilor in Kiruna.
It was at the beginning of the year that the government overtook Kiruna Municipality and issued an ultimatum that they would complete a detailed plan for the planned mine in Nunaasvaara outside Vittangi - otherwise the County Administrative Board would take over the project.
Don't want to give up control
Kiruna Municipality has been skeptical of new mines as long as the state does not provide better compensation, but now the municipality has chosen to develop a detailed plan.
We chose to do it ourselves because we wanted to have control over the situation instead of leaving it to another authority, says Mats Taaveniku (S).
Split within the bloc
But opinions regarding whether the municipality itself should make the detailed plan differ within the bloc. The Left Party, the Feminist Initiative and the Sami List want the government to bear the responsibility.
– We don't think the municipality should contribute to this. We have said no once and if the government wants to run over Kiruna municipality, they are the ones who should be responsible for it, says Jenny Mäki, chairwoman of the Left Party.
It is now up to the city council to make a decision on the matter on June 16."
Sprickan inom blocket växer när Kiruna kommun nu ändrar sitt beslut kring detaljplanen för Talgas gruva i Vittangi. – Det var pest eller kolera och vi har valt pest, säger Mats Taaveniku (S), kommunalråd i Kiruna.
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