I first visited Velferden four years ago, after meeting Maiken. 

Before that I knew how the process of mineral extraction was, that they would use dynamite or dig, and then get the minerals out. I didn’t know the extent of the damage it causes, and how much waste there is. From what they extract, only about 10% is the mineral. It’s very energy expensive, and a hell of a lot of work to get anything out of it. 

Going to Sokndal and witnessing the deposit – a man-made mountain of sand – made me see and understand the process differently. Then finding out about Jøssingfjorden, and all of the sand that was dumped there, killing all of the sealife …

What people need to know is that when stone is made to sand, it turns into a waste product, rather than being something natural. 

There are companies trying to use the sand for something, but when the sand is grinded down, it becomes too smooth, so it doesn’t bond so well with binding agents resulting in a weak composite. 

Many people don’t see a problem with the deposit. The workers, they see beauty, and something to be proud of. And if you zoom out, and watch it from space, it’s a tiny spot of land after all. Our cities and roads add up to a much larger area. But still, the deposit has a local impact. Seeing that with my own eyes, has made me more politically aware. 

Staying at Velferden, having meals and conversations together to see what can be done … It was very educational listening to and talking with a bunch of artists from around the world, as well as researchers, biologists, and lawyers, among other things. Usually, all of them are sitting on their own side of the table.

Especially memorable was listening to one of the biologists who has been researching sea life, and how the ecology changes around the world.

From above, the sea looks clean, but what’s on the bottom? 

We need the conversation around these topics to be educated, and find a common ground when we see things differently.