A Finnish government working group tasked with proposing amendments to the Mining Act said in a report Wednesday that local councils should have the right to veto uranium mines.
Mauri Pekkarinen, the economic affairs minister, said as he was handed the report that the veto right was justified.
Mr Pekkarinen added that the Mining Act, dating back to 1965, did not meet the requirements of a modern society.
The minister hopes to have an amended piece of legislation in force by 2010.