Tukes civil servant under suspicion
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) has been informed that the Pirkanmaa District Court has remanded a Tukes civil servant on Wednesday. The civil servant is suspected of aggravated abuse of public office.
‘I see this suspicion as a very serious matter. At this stage however, we do not have any further details on the case. We are cooperating with the police fully’, says Kimmo Peltonen, Director General of Tukes.
Tukes is responsible for the supervision and promotion of the safety and reliability of products, services and industrial operations. Tukes’s areas of responsibility include chemicals, products – such as toys and electrical appliances – industrial safety, mining safety and skills assessments.
The suspected civil servant works for Tukes’s Industrial Department’s Mining Authority unit. Tukes’s industrial supervision is related to sites with large risks and sites posing major accident hazards.
‘Our work includes ensuring safety and sustainability. Our values include observing the principles of good governance and working responsibly and reliably.’
The decision of the Pirkanmaa District Court has been declared classified.
Further information:
Director General Kimmo Peltonen, tel. +358 (0)29 5052 157
[email protected]
Tukes's operating principles
Questions and answers
What is the role of Tukes in matters related mining operations?
Tukes is the mining authority referred to in the Finnish Mining Act. It is responsible for granting and supervising mining permits and mining safety permits.
In what way is Tukes involved in the Dragon Mining case?
Tukes has issued two statements on the Orivesi case. The statements concern mining safety and technical safety. According to information available to Tukes, the removal of waste may cause a collapse hazard and a danger to the life of workers.
Links to the statements and the pending request for statement:
14 March 2019 Statement issued by Tukes to the Pirkanmaa ELY Centre upon a request by the ELY Centre, PFD
19 August 2020 Statement issued by Tukes to Dragon Mining Oy upon a request by Dragon Mining Oy (section 4 of the Mining Act 621/2011, the mining operator shall inform the authorities of any matters that may compromise mining safety, section 19.2 of the Government Decree on Mining Safety 1571/2011), PDF
2 November 2020 The Pirkanmaa ELY Centre’s request for statement from Tukes, pdf
Is the leave of absence of the head of the Mining Authority unit at Tukes connected to the case?
No, it is not. The leave of absence was granted to the head of the Mining Authority unit on 4 June 2020.
Does Tukes know what the detention is about?
According to the information available to Tukes, the employee has been detained due to a suspicion of aggravated abuse of public office. The decision on detention was made based on a reasonable suspicion.
Documents prepared by Tukes since 1 January 2018 pertaining to the Dragon Mining company’s gold mine in Orivesi (available only in Finnish)
12 June 2018, Inspection report’s decision section, Dragon Mining Oy
30 May 2018, Decision on the transfer of the matrix and detonator storage, Dragon Mining Oy
20 June 2019, Inspection report’s decision section, Dragon Mining Oy
8 May 2020, Inspection report’s decision section, Dragon Mining Oy
9 June 2020, Decision on the end of the storage of chemicals and explosives, Dragon Mining Oy
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) only publishes online such personal data that is essential in terms of access to information.
The news item was edited on
5 November 2020: the questions and answers that were earlier included in a linked attachment were added as a part of the text
5 November 2020 at 10:15 a.m.: The Pirkanmaa ELY Centre’s request for statement has been added to the text.
5 November 2020 at 5:55 p.m.: Documents prepared by Tukes since 1 January 2018 were added.
