The purpose of this project are to investigate the connection between development of mining activities, knowledge politics and valuation of arctic landscapes in selected case sites in Russia, Greenland and Norway. In addition to give attention to the way particular knowledge systems influence environmental and developmental policies, and how landscape and its value as recreational, occupational and harvesting grounds is recognized in processes in which extraction and commercialization of mineral resources is in focus. The concept of 'sacrifice zones' will be used a contrast to 'sustainable landscapes' in a continuum. The work will be organized as a case study regarding how national, regionaland local environmental management and regulation of mining activities influences landscapes and the landscape use in the case sites chosen. And whether a focus on ecosystem services and a broad valuation concept may enable management to avoid the emergence of sacrifice zones in mining areas.