Boliden receives positive ruling for the Aitik mine expansion

Boliden receives positive ruling for the Aitik mine expansion

The Environmental Court announced today that Boliden has been granted a permit
to com-mence expansion of the Aitik mine, from current annual production of 18
million tonnes to 36 million tonnes.

In its ruling, the Environmental Court declares that the operation which Boliden
has applied for is permissible. The court is also granting Boliden permission to
immediately construct certain roads and carry out fundation work for industrial
areas etc.
In October 2006, Boliden's Board of Directors approved the investment of SEK 5.2
billion in expand-ing operations at the Aitik copper mine outside Gällivare,
Sweden. In addition to the modern new con-centrator that will provide double the
ore production capacity, the investment will also provide, among other things:
• Improved competitiveness and a substantially lower cash cost
• A tripling of ore reserves from 200 to 600 million tonnes
• An extension of the mine's lifespan from 2016 to 2025
• Increased production of copper, gold and silver, and new production of
molybdenum
• Improved energy and environmental performance
• The potential for further expansion in the future

The main proceedings regarding Boliden's application will be held on 7th and 8th
November, after which, the Environmental Court will decide on conditions for
emissions, noise and other environ-mental impact from the expanded operations.
At that time, a ruling will also be made regarding the is-sue of economic
guarantees for reclamation costs. 


Svante Nilsson, Acting President and CEO, Boliden AB, tel +46 8-610 1527, +46
70-583 3278
Eva Kaijser, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Group Communications,
Boliden AB, tel. 46 8-610 1560, +46 709-320 901

Boliden is one of the leading mining and smelting companies in Europe with
operations in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Ireland. Boliden's main products are
copper, zinc, lead and gold and silver. Exploration and recycling of metals are
also im-portant within the company. The number of employees is approximately 4
500 and the turnover amounts to approximately EUR 3.8 billion annually. Its
shares are listed on Stockholmsbörsen's Large Cap list and on the Toronto Stock
Exchange in Canada.

www.boliden.com