Completion of the thematic plan for mineral resources in Rapla and Pärnu County.
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, press briefing.
Date: 2025-09-17 16:52
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 8
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 4m
AI Summaries: 8/8 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The information meeting focused on finalizing the thematic plan for mineral resources in Rapla and Pärnu counties. Discussion revolved around why it makes sense to complete the current thematic plan and what the future direction will be regarding the use and planning of mineral resources. A key focus was weighing data and capacity to ensure investments remain in Estonia and that the objectives and legal certainty of the plans are maintained; additionally, discussions explored how to handle development activities on a case-by-case basis and what the future holds for the mineral resources thematic plan for Harju County. The topics raised in the discussion also included environmental regulations, changes to peat mining issues, and the direction of limestone/dolostone areas.
Decisions Made 1
The completion of the thematic plan for mineral resources in Rapla and Pärnumaa counties, and subsequently addressing mineral resource use on a case-by-case basis; the implementation of the thematic plan for mineral resources in Harju County is possible and its expansion possibilities are being reviewed; peat extraction no longer falls within the thematic plan; limestone and dolostone areas are addressed within existing areas, and the search for new areas must be subject to the analysis of geological data and specific cases; the impacts related to the construction of Rail Baltic do not alter the implementation of the plans; the amendments to the environmental minister's regulation 87, which entered into force on July 22, 2024, have been taken into account as the basis for planning.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was member of the Riigikogu Andres Metsoja, whose speech lasted on the topic of finalizing thematic plans. His position in activities, identifiable as a political creature, is “other” (or not specifically defined as left- or right-wing).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar proposed temporarily setting aside the procedural matters and showing solidarity with Andres Metsoja, who is directing the tenth question to Prime Minister Kristen Michal concerning the termination of the thematic plan for mineral resources in Rapla and Pärnu counties.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar makes a proposal to his colleagues to set aside procedural questions in order to show solidarity with Andres Metsoja and give him the opportunity to ask Prime Minister Kristen Michal a question regarding the termination of the thematic plan for mineral resources in Rapla and Pärnu counties.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja criticizes the proposal by the Land and Space Board to cease the preparation of county plans and thematic plans for mineral resources, emphasizing the need for inclusion and clarity, as well as for securing the origin of Estonian investments and construction materials, and asks why the planning of mines continues in various regions.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja is sharply criticizing the Land and Spatial Planning Agency’s plan to halt the preparation of thematic plans for mineral resources in Pärnu and Rapla counties. He stresses that replacing these plans with a case-by-case approach eliminates clarity and certainty for the public, thereby creating tensions. Furthermore, he suggests this is part of a policy that appears to be pushing mining operations away from the "golden circle" of Harju County and into the peripheral regions.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that the current work on the mineral resources section of the thematic plan will be terminated as necessary, given that there are very few prospective areas for construction mineral resources in Rapla and Pärnu Counties, and these must be handled on a case-by-case basis. The thematic plan for Harju County may also be applied outside of Harju; the planning of necessary materials for Rail Baltic is no longer an objective; and the 2024 amendment to the Minister of the Environment's regulation removed peat mining from the thematic plan due to the lack of suitable areas on the list. Furthermore, the availability of limestone and dolomite areas is highly restricted, meaning the practical applicability of the thematic plan is limited to existing areas.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal provided technical information, explaining that the development of the thematic plan for construction minerals in Rapla and Pärnu counties will be halted. This decision is based on the lack of relevant necessity in those regions, the fact that the material needed for the construction of Rail Baltic is largely secured, and the recent exclusion of peat extraction due to an amendment to the Minister of the Environment's regulation that recently entered into force. Consequently, the practical applicability of the plan is now limited solely to existing limestone and dolomite areas.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the Prime Minister and his colleagues, stating that two minutes were allocated for questions and three minutes for answers. The information session then concluded, and proceedings continued with the Riigikogu plenary sitting scheduled to begin at two o'clock.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar, citing the time constraints set for questions and answers, concluded the current information session. He thanked both the members of the Government of the Republic and his colleagues for the substantive discussion and announced that the Riigikogu plenary sitting would resume precisely at 2 o'clock.