Finland Launches Europe's First Integrated Lithium Mining and Refining Project

Key facts

• The Keliber project in western Finland is the first in Europe to integrate the entire lithium production chain, including the mine, concentrator, and refinery, within 43 kilometres.
• The project features the Syvajarvi open-pit mine located in the municipality of Kaustinen and a refinery situated near the port of Kokkola.
• The project, costing approximately 783-million euro ($920-million), produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide from spodumene ore.
• The refinery is estimated to produce 15,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually, which accounts for around 10 percent of Europe's demand.
• The Keliber project covers more than 500 square kilometres and includes the Syvajarvi mine and six other planned mining sites.
• The project is owned by Sibanye-Stillwater (nearly 80 percent) and the state-owned Finnish Minerals Group (20 percent), with a small share held by Finnish shareholders.
• Bo Langbacka of the Geological Survey of Finland (GSF) stated that Finland's bedrock contains some of the largest lithium reserves in Europe.