Svalbard to remain mining society

Videre kulldrift er en viktig forutsetning for å beholde Longyearbyen som et stabilt familiesamfunn. (Arkivfoto: Birger Amundsen)

Coal mining is to remain a core industry at Svalbard, the Norwegian government writes in its new report on the archipelago.

The government in its Svalbard report confirms that the coal mining will have to be developed within the frames of the strict environmental regulations of the islands. Existing infrastructure should be applied as much as possible, newspaper Svalbardposten reports with reference to ANB.

The report also calls for the development of enhanced local preparedness and emergency systems following the increased shipping activities in the Arctic. Also research and tourism are highlighted in the report.

The report has not yet been published by government. 

There are three coal mines in Svalbard, the Sveagruva with an annual production of two million tons per year, the Russian Barentsburg mine and a small mine in Longyearbyen used mainly to supply the town’s own power plant.

Source: BarentsObserver.com