"The reindeer herders battling an iron ore mine in Sweden", 30 Jul 2014

Kallak is one of the largest known iron ore deposits in Scandinavia that has yet to be exploited. [British mining company] Beowulf is waiting for the Swedish authorities to decide whether to approve its application for a 25-year mining concession...But Sami reindeer herder Jakob Nygard believes the mine, and the infrastructure needed to operate it, could destroy his livelihood..."We take many things from the reindeer into our culture so I think if reindeer herding dies then our culture also dies."...Beowulf says its project would create 250 direct and over 1,000 indirect jobs..."We would hope that we can employ them in the mine and give them jobs that will also allow them to go ahead and continue to do reindeer herding."...The Kallak project has been the focus of angry demonstrations by Sami groups and environmental activists. They have used social media and networks of indigenous rights campaigners around the world to spread their message. But Stefan Andersson, Jokkmokk's mayor, does not believe the vocal anti-mining lobby accurately reflects local opinion. He says mining could help reverse the area's declining population and give young families a reason to stay...Sweden believes that mining can be carried out responsibly and sustainably for future generations. But some observers are more sceptical...Journalist Arne Muller is the author of Dirty Billions, a book about the Swedish mining industry. He believes that when forced to decide between the wishes of mining companies and those of the Sami community, the authorities put profit first.