Land Extraction Permit and Notification

The extraction of land materials (stone, gravel, sand, clay and soil) for removal, on-site storage or processing requires a permit under the Land Extraction Act. The permit is applied for from the municipal environmental protection authority.

If land extraction involves simultaneous stone quarrying and stone crushing on the same operational area, an environmental permit is usually required in addition to the land extraction permit. Permits can be applied for with a single application, in which case they are processed together and decided by the same decision. The holder of a land extraction permit must submit an annual notification of the quantity and quality of extracted materials using an electronic notification form.

Requirements

  • Permit requirement: Extraction of land materials (stone, gravel, sand, clay, soil) for removal, on-site storage or processing requires a land extraction permit.
  • Environmental permit: If land extraction involves simultaneous stone quarrying and stone crushing on the same operational area, an environmental permit is usually also required.
  • Joint processing: Permits can be applied for with a single application and processed together.
  • Annual notification: The permit holder must submit an annual notification of the quantity and quality of extracted materials using an electronic form.
  • EEA operators: If a business operator is established in another EEA state and provides services temporarily in Finland, the same obligations apply as for operators established in Finland.

Application procedure

  • Applicant: Land material extractor.
  • Authority: Municipal environmental protection authority.
  • Application: Made in writing. Must include an extraction plan with detailed information on land extraction and environmental management.
  • Coordination: If the project involves other environmental permits in addition to the land extraction permit, coordination of permit procedures can be requested.
  • Annual notification: Primarily made using an electronic notification form.