The Kolmisoppi ore deposit has been granted strategic project status under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act

Terrafame's Kolmisoppi project has been granted strategic project status under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) on March 25, 2025. With the CRMA, the European Union strives to strengthen the value chains of raw materials that are vital for Europe’s economy and clean transition.

“We are happy with this decision. The strategic project status under the CRMA bolsters the importance of Kolmisoppi and Terrafame for the supply of critical and strategic raw materials in Europe. The status also ensures that permitting processes proceed according to the deadlines set in the CRMA, decreasing permitting related scheduling risks,” states Seppo Voutilainen, CEO of Terrafame.

The CRMA covers more than 30 raw materials, 17 of which are also defined as strategic. Terrafame produces battery-grade nickel sulphate as well as cobalt and copper, all three of which are defined as strategic raw materials.

“Terrafame is already a significant operator in critical materials value chain in Europe, as the company mines over 70% of the primary nickel mined in Europe. Exploiting the Kolmisoppi ore deposit as planned enables Terrafame to produce low-carbon battery chemicals responsibly well into the future,” Voutilainen continues.

Terrafame applied for a strategic project status for the Kolmisoppi ore deposit in August 2024. 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, the company recovers zinc, cobalt, copper and natural uranium from the mined ore. The recovered nickel and cobalt are processed at the company’s battery chemicals plant into battery chemicals used in electric vehicle batteries. The recovered uranium is delivered from Terrafame’s site to international markets for further processing and then used as fuel in nuclear energy production.

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. Terrafame expects to receive a decision in 2025. 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, Terrafame Ltd, seppo.voutilainen[a]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 2024 were EUR 544.5 million. Around 2,000 people work on its industrial site regularly, approximately 1,200 of whom are employees of partner companies.