Terrafame and Outotec agree on supply of pressure leaching technology for battery chemicals plant

Multi-metal company Terrafame has signed a contract with Outotec for the supply of pressure leaching technology for the battery chemicals plant planned for Sotkamo, Finland. The contract includes the planning of the leaching technology area, the supply of key equipment, and installation supervision and training services.

Pressure leaching is the first of the three main phases of the battery chemicals plant. During the pressure leaching, nickel-cobalt sulphide, which is Terrafame’s current main product, is first placed in a elutriating unit, where it is mixed with the process water. The slurry is then fed into an autoclave, i.e. a pressure leaching reactor, with a raised pressure and temperature to produce a metal sulphate solution. After thickening and filtration, the solution is directed for further refining and finally for the production of battery chemicals.

The technology company Outotec has been involved in Terrafame’s battery chemicals plant project since the pre-feasibility study phase. The company has made similar deliveries for other industrial plants in both Finland and abroad. Construction of the electric vehicle battery chemicals plant is due to begin in the first half of 2019. It is estimated that deliveries of pressure leaching technology will begin in early 2020.

Further information:

Joni Lukkaroinen, CEO, joni.lukkaroinen(at)terrafame.fi

Terrafame Ltd is a Finnish multi-metal company producing nickel, zinc, cobalt and copper at its mine and metals production plant located in Sotkamo, Finland. We are now planning the processing of our main product, nickel-cobalt sulphide, into nickel and cobalt sulphates suitable for electric vehicle batteries. Our aim is to conduct environmentally sustainable, safe and profitable operations. www.terrafame.com