The main areas of the Company's Finnish operations, Rompas and Rajapalot, are located on the border of Rovaniemi and Ylitornio municipalities in northern Finland. The Company has completed a variety of nature studies, and also implemented a Natura 2000 impact assessment related to the future and ongoing exploration activities. Previously there existed only little scientific research on the impacts of different kinds of exploration methods on the nature and environment in these areas and therefore the Company's exploration activities and their impacts on the natural environment, species and water have been monitored continuously. Monitoring activities have provided long-term research information on the impacts and how sampling and exploration work should be carried out in a sustainable way without causing damage to environmental values.
During core sampling programs at Rajapalot, Mawson completes biological mapping of all areas where drilling takes place, and works together with all authorities to minimize its impacts, including the capture of all drill cuttings, reduction in total machine weight and drilling only in the winter season when the snow and ice coverage protects the habitat types and vegetation efficiently. Mawson is also involved in developing and testing new, more environmentally friendly exploration methods such as snow and biochemical sampling.
Certain areas of the Rompas-Rajapalot areas (namely claim Kairamaat 2-3, Uusi Rumavuoma and Rompas) are defined as EU Natura 2000 designated areas. Natura 2000 sites cover about 14.6% of Finland and over 30% of Northern Finland. Natura 2000 is the centrepiece of EU nature and biodiversity policy. It is an EU-wide ecological network of nearly 27,800 sites in the 27 EU countries, established under the 1992 Habitats Directive. In total, these sites cover a substantial area; almost a fifth of Europe’s land area and nearly 10% of the surrounding seas. This makes it the largest coordinated network of conservation areas anywhere in the world. The aim of the network is to assure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. Natura 2000 is not a system of strict nature reserves where all human activities are excluded. Whereas the network will certainly include nature reserves, most of the land is likely to continue to be privately-owned and the emphasis will be on ensuring that future management is sustainable, both ecologically and economically.
A decision was made in January 2019 by the Finnish Safety and Chemical Agency ("TUKES") to grant modified and renewed exploration claims titled Kairamaat 2 and 3 that cover a surface area of 1,462 hectares at Mawson's Rajapalot gold project in northern Finland, that entitles Mawson to deep drill during winter conditions within Natura 2000 biodiversity areas. The decision will take legal effect after a standard public appeal process, which can take up to 2 years.
In 2014 the Finnish Government updated the Guide to Exploration in protected areas, the Sámi homeland and the reindeer managing area.
On 04 October 2010 the EU published a guidance document and related press release for new guidelines to clarify rules for extractive industries working in Natura 2000 areas.
In 2010 Euromines (http://www.euromines.org/) published "Natura 2000: A Guide to the Guide" as an Industry Commentary to the European Commission Guidance on Non-energy mineral extraction and Natura 2000. For more information follow this link.
In 2019, the EU published Case Studies for Non-Energy Mineral Extraction in Relation to Natura 2000.