The backlash was not long in coming when the Australian company was granted an exploration permit in 2017. The network "We who are passionate about Unden" started shortly after the decision and quickly had 600 members who manifested together by, among other things, lighting care boxes around Lake Unden.
Now on Sunday afternoon, they will once again light fires by Lake Unden in protest against the foreign company now wanting to extend its exploration permit.
- You do not do a survey just to do a survey.
The purpose is to open a mine.
That is why we go in already now and say that it is wrong, says Anders Tivell from "We who are passionate about Unden".
Establishment of a mine requires a new trial
Miner Åsa Persson, head of Bergsstaten, which examines questions about exploration permits, believes that this is only a first step in the process and that the survey itself should not affect the soil in the area.
- If it goes so far that they want to establish a mine, a completely different test is done.
But right now it is about fairly small interventions, when they have finished prospecting, everything is as it was before, says Åsa Persson.
The protests do not affect the decision
She understands that landowners and people in the area are worried, but believes that this weekend's protests will not affect the decision in this case.
- Should anyone want to build a mine where I have my cabin, I would also react, she says and adds:
- You should also know that there are very few conditions that ultimately lead to something.
It might be one in 100.
The decision to extend the exploration permit will be made on 27 November.