The mining company Beowulf is considering suing the state: "We feel compelled to do so"

Six years ago, the company applied for a so-called mining license for mining in the area.

The county administrative board said no, but the mountain state yes and the government should therefore decide the issue, but the years go by and nothing seems to happen and now patience seems to be on the pour for Beowulf mining.

In a press release, CEO Kurt Budge writes that what he calls the mismanagement costs the company big money and so-called good-will.

- We feel compelled to seriously consider legal action against the Swedish state for the project's delays and lack of information about the future. We don't want to go legal, but we may have to. The board will meet in Stockholm on February 12 and decide the issue, says Kurt Budge.

He emphasizes that it is about 250 mining jobs and 300 indirect jobs for at least 25 years - if the mine is allowed to start.

- All jobs are counted in Jokkmokk, he says.

But Tor L. Tuorda, who heads the network for a mine-free Jokkmokk, believes the company just wants to get back the more than 80 million that the test drilling has cost.

- Now they have shown their right face, they are luck seekers. They work hard to make us feel sorry for them, but they knew this was a high-risk activity when they started the test drilling and now have to blame themselves. Why would the state be frightened by this, he asks.

SVT News Norrbotten has asked Business Minister Ibrahim Baylan (S) for a comment, without succeeding in reaching him.