Published on 07.04.2020 at 10.05
Terrafame has submitted an environmental impact assessment programme to the Kainuu ELY Centre on the exploitation of the Kolmisoppi deposit and the expansion of the mining concession
Terrafame has submitted an environmental impact assessment programme (EIA programme) to the Kainuu ELY Centre on 30 March 2020 regarding the exploitation of the Lake Kolmisoppi ore deposit, the waterbody arrangements required for Lake Kolmisoppi and the expansion of the mining concession. A time has been reserved for submitting opinions and statements to the Kainuu ELY Centre, which acts as the contact authority, between 7 April and 11 May 2020. A public consultation event on the assessment programme and the project will be held remotely on 15 April 2020 from 6 pm to 8 pm. You can join the public consultation event online using the following link: terrafame.videosync.fi/2020-yva (in Finnish).
The actual impact assessment will be carried out during 2020, and the results will be presented in an EIA report to be published at the end of the year. The EIA procedure will conclude with the coordinating authority presenting its reasoned conclusions. After that, Terrafame will apply for an environmental permit for the viable solution, most likely in early 2021.
The EIA programme (in Finnish only) is attached to this notice as a PDF file, and it is also available at www.terrafame.fi > Ympäristö > Ympäristövaikutusten arviointi eli YVA.
The purpose of the project is the exploitation of the Kolmisoppi ore deposit within Terrafame’s mining site in the company’s mining and production activities. The exploitation of the Kolmisoppi deposit, together with the currently active Kuusilampi deposit, enables Terrafame to continue operating with the currently measured and indicated ore reserves until the 2050s. Additionally, the potential mineral reserves of Kolmisoppi and Kuusilampi may allow for the continuation of mining operations even until the 2080s. In order to allow for the continuation of operations for such a long period of time without the need to build waste rock or bioleaching areas on top of the mineral deposit and thus endangering potential further exploitation, the current mining concession must be expanded.
Further information:
Veli-Matti Hilla, Chief Sustainability Officer, Terrafame Ltd., tel. p. +358 20 7130 800 (switchboard), veli-matti.hilla[at]terrafame.fi
The EIA programme (in Finnish only) (pdf, 7.5Mt)
Media release of Kainuu ELY Centre (in Finnish only) (7 Apr 2020)
Terrafame Ltd is a Finnish multi-metal company founded in 2015, with a mine and metals production plant located in Sotkamo. The company’s bioleaching based production process is unique and its carbon footprint is clearly lower compared to traditional nickel production technologies. Terrafame is currently building one of the world’s largest production lines for battery chemicals, which will move the company forward in the value chain, from a manufacturer of metal intermediates to a producer of battery-grade chemicals for electric vehicle batteries. In 2019, Terrafame’s net sales totalled EUR 310 million and there were approximately 1,500 people working in the company's industrial site, of which partner company employees accounted for approximately half. www.terrafame.com