Developing Natural Stone Production in Soapstone Regions in Eastern Finland and Karelia’s Border Region
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The project was to promote operational prerequisites of the soapstone industry in the entire area where soapstone can be found in East Finland and in the border region of Karelia.

Main activities

• Seeking new stone varieties • Assessing raw material potential in Russian Karelia and presenting and comparing research methods at, for example, different types of seminars/field seminars • Producing a plan for commercial cooperation and training needs • Creation of a database for the shared building stone deposits and products of Kainuu and Russian Karelia.

Achievements

The project found sew soapstone deposits, some of which have good potential to be utilised as production sites. Several new soapstone deposits were found in the area between Huutoniemi - Saarikylä. The project completed a preliminary assessment on the quantity and quality of the stone at the most interesting sites. Raw material potential was assessed in Russian Karelia and research methods presented and compared at, for example, different types of seminars / field seminars. As a result of the project, the development process for utilising the new natural stone raw materials, including soapstone, in Russian Karelia has been strengthened. Examples include the cooperation with the Development Project Concerning Networking and Material Facilities of Stone Sector Enterprises project implemented by the city of Kuhmo and the Kosstone project funded by the Tacis programme. The project produced a plan for commercial cooperation and training needs for 2004 and began work on the database, which would include the shared building stone deposits and products of Kainuu and Russian Karelia. The development work started in this project was continued in the ’Soapstone in Kainuu and in the Border Region of Karelia’ project.