Outokumpu targets value from waste at Finland mine
Industrial group Outokumpu is seeking to turn mining waste into a source of value, launching a large-scale circular economy initiative at its Kemi mine in Finland aimed at transforming side streams into usable industrial inputs.
The project, developed in partnership with the EU-backed Lapland Mining Hub and Digipolis, will focus on converting waste rock and tailings into new products, reducing reliance on virgin raw materials while creating additional revenue streams.
The Kemi mine currently generates nearly three-million tonnes a year of waste rock and tailings.
President for Business Area Ferrochrome Martti Sassi says the initiative reflects a shift in how mining companies approach by-products.
“The utilisation of side streams is no longer just an environmental act, but part of competitiveness and supply security,” he states.
Potential applications for the material include low-carbon cement substitutes, soil improvement products, carbon sequestration solutions, thermal energy storage systems and the recovery of additional minerals.
The project will create a data-driven ecosystem, providing transparent information on the volume, quality and characteristics of side streams to attract industrial partners capable of developing commercial applications. Research support will be provided by the Geological Survey of Finland and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
Outokumpu says the initiative aims to establish a replicable model for Europe, positioning the Kemi operation as a pilot site before expanding the approach to other mines in the Lapland region and beyond.
The project also aligns with broader European efforts to secure critical raw materials and improve resource efficiency, particularly as demand rises for metals used in the energy transition.
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