A Turkish artillery ammunition factory is expected to be built within two years on the territory of a former oil shale quarry in Lüganuse Municipality in Põhja-Kiviõli.

Mayor Dmitri Dmitrijev does not believe locals will oppose the factory, especially since the selection process for the factory's location has lasted several years.

"The planning stages have been completed. Those who wanted to ask something or had doubts received their answers. We do not see any additional risks, knowing the industrial landscape of the former quarry and its distance from the town of Kiviõli," he said.

"In addition, we are used to large companies, including companies with elevated risk levels, and in my opinion this is not something very extraordinary for our region," Dmitrijev said.

However, residents of the village of Varinurme, which has 40 inhabitants and is located near the shell factory, spoke cautiously about the plant. Especially since there is not much information available about the facility.

Above all, they feared possible testing carried out at the factory.

"In my opinion, the choice of location for the factory was unsuccessful — too close to the Russian border, with whom the European Union currently does not have the best relations. A conflict is ongoing and continues to deepen, and I do not see signs of improvement. And it is not known how all this will end. The feeling is somewhat frightening," admitted Varinurme resident Aleksandr.

The cost of the Kiviõli ammunition factory has been estimated at €300 million and it is expected to bring approximately 1,000 jobs to the area.

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