Terrafame applied for a strategic project status for the exploitation of the Kolmisoppi ore deposit under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act
Terrafame has submitted an application to the European Commission seeking a strategic project status for the Kolmisoppi project under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).
The CRMA came into effect in May 2024 and aims to sustainably ensure the availability of raw materials that are critical and strategic in terms of Europe’s economy and clean transition. The CRMA covers more than 30 raw materials, defining the battery grade nickel produced by Terrafame as well as cobalt and copper as strategic raw materials. Among other things, the status of a strategic project ensures that permitting processes proceed according to the deadlines set in the CRMA, decreasing the scheduling risk related to permitting.
“As a forerunner, Terrafame contributes to building a sustainable and climate-friendly battery value chain in Europe. Exploiting the Kolmisoppi ore deposit as planned enables the production of low-carbon footprint battery chemicals for the European markets well into the future,” says Seppo Voutilainen, CEO of Terrafame.
Kolmisoppi is Terrafame’s yet unexploited ore deposit in Sotkamo, Finland. The Kuusilampi ore deposit, which is currently being mined, and the Kolmisoppi ore deposit together form the largest nickel ore reserves in Europe. Besides nickel, zinc, cobalt, copper and natural uranium can be recovered from the ore. The recovered nickel and cobalt are processed at the company’s battery chemicals plant into battery chemicals used in electric vehicle batteries.
In 2023, Terrafame applied for an environmental permit to exploit the ore deposit in the Kolmisoppi land area to the Regional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland. The company aims to start mining the Kolmisoppi land area in 2028. Later, the company will also apply for a permit to exploit the ore deposit in the Kolmisoppi water area in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act and the Water Act.
Further information:
Seppo Voutilainen, CEO, seppo.voutilainen[at]terrafame.fi, tel. +358 20 7130 800 (switchboard)
Terrafame enhances low-carbon mobility by delivering responsibly produced battery chemicals to the global battery industry. One of the world’s largest production lines for chemicals used in electric vehicle batteries is located on Terrafame’s industrial site. The plant is capable of producing nickel sulphate for around 1 million EVs per year. The carbon footprint of the nickel sulphate produced by Terrafame is among the smallest in the industry.
Terrafame’s integrated, unique and energy-efficient production process from the mine to battery chemicals is located on a single industrial site. It provides customers with a transparent, traceable and truly European battery chemical supply chain.
Terrafame Ltd was founded in 2015. Its net sales in 2023 were EUR 560.9 million. Around 1,900 people work on its industrial site regularly, slightly over half of whom are employees of partner companies.
