Despite planned billion-euro gold investments in Lapland, other Finnish mining operations are experiencing layoffs and project cancellations. A new mining tax is being cited as a primary reason for these cuts by mining companies. However, a recent analysis by Helsingin Sanomat’s Oulu correspondent, Marjo Valtavaara, suggests this explanation may be incomplete. The article posits that the tax serves as a convenient scapegoat for broader economic factors impacting the industry. The situation presents a complex picture of Finland’s mining sector, with growth in some areas contrasted by contraction in others. The analysis questions the narrative presented by mining companies regarding the impact of the new tax legislation. Further investigation is needed to determine the full scope of the challenges facing the Finnish mining industry.