Stora Enso investigates environmental damage in Suomussalmi, Finland

Stora Enso was first informed of the environmental damage at Hukkajoki by the ELY Centre, according to Seppo Parvi, the company’s managing director and CFO in Finland. Following this, the company began investigating what had happened and why.

The incident involves the destruction of thousands of freshwater pearl mussels at Stora Enso’s logging site in Suomussalmi, as forestry machines operated over the protected river. The damage was uncovered last week. The freshwater pearl mussel is an extremely endangered species, and the harm done to the population is described by Metsähallitus as exceptionally severe. The police are treating this case as a serious violation of environmental protection laws.

At this point, the exact sequence of events remains unclear. Parvi noted that Stora Enso has not yet communicated with the contractor or the driver of the forestry machine. “We have not been in direct contact. Authorities are reviewing the events and will reach out to various parties first,” he stated.

Stora Enso has established guidelines to prevent environmental damages, and the company typically assesses the conditions in any given area beforehand. “Now we are investigating how this incident occurred despite our processes and preparedness,” Parvi added.

The company is also looking into whether the contractor was made aware of the presence of the pearl mussel in the river. “We are currently assessing the communication chain and what exactly happened,” Parvi said, mentioning that the police and authorities will also conduct their investigations.

Regarding liability, Parvi indicated that an investigation is ongoing, and compensation matters will be addressed once it concludes. Stora Enso, alongside authorities and experts from ELY Centre and Metsähallitus, is engaged in restoration efforts at Hukkajoki. Parvi emphasized that Stora Enso takes the environmental damage very seriously and expressed sincere regret over the incident. “This is entirely against our values, practices, and directives.”