Finnvera’s Financial Support Helps Propel Sibanye-Stillwater’s Keliber Lithium Project to Lead Europe’s Battery Supply Chain

Finnvera’s Financial Support Helps Propel Sibanye-Stillwater’s Keliber Lithium Project to Lead Europe’s Battery Supply Chain

(IN BRIEF) Finland’s battery sector is surging as green initiatives and the electrification of transport accelerate the demand for lithium and battery chemicals. Sibanye-Stillwater’s Keliber project, located in Central Ostrobothnia, Finland, seeks to become Europe’s first fully integrated producer of battery-grade lithium hydroxide. With a EUR 650 million investment, including a EUR 250 million Green Loan, the project will strengthen Finland’s battery cluster and boost local employment. Supported by advanced, low-emission refining technology from Finnish partner Metso, Keliber’s production of lithium hydroxide will supply Europe’s expanding electric vehicle and battery markets. The project aims to begin production by 2025, with an annual output capacity to support 300,000 electric car batteries.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 25-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Sibanye-Stillwater, a global leader in sustainable mining and metals, is proud to announce that its Keliber lithium project in Central Ostrobothnia, Finland, is set to play a pivotal role in Europe’s green transition and rapidly expanding battery industry. As the demand for lithium skyrockets to support the electrification of transport, Keliber will be Europe’s first integrated lithium hydroxide producer, supplying essential raw materials for the booming electric vehicle (EV) and battery sectors.

Positioned in Finland’s thriving battery cluster, the EUR 650 million project includes the construction of a lithium refinery in Kokkola and a concentrator in Kaustinen. These facilities, underpinned by substantial local investment and a pioneering EUR 250 million Green Loan, are expected to generate significant economic growth, providing around 800 jobs during construction and 350 permanent roles once operational. The project’s first lithium production phase is targeted to begin ramping up in late 2025, aiming to produce enough lithium hydroxide each year to support around 300,000 EV batteries.

“As the first project of its kind in Europe, Keliber stands to help shape a sustainable battery industry while addressing the need for supply security,” said Hannu Hautala, Senior Vice President of Sibanye-Stillwater’s Keliber operations. “This milestone Green Loan marks a crucial step in our commitment to producing battery-grade lithium with responsibility and transparency, directly contributing to Europe’s green transition goals.”

The Keliber project employs state-of-the-art refining technology supplied by Finnish partner Metso, which utilizes an innovative pressure leaching process. This approach significantly reduces environmental impact by eliminating the use of sulfuric acid, leading to lower emissions and the production of reusable by-products like analcime sand, which can be used in construction. This sustainable technology aligns with the needs of environmentally conscious European automotive and battery manufacturers, strengthening the EU’s goal to source responsibly-produced battery materials domestically.

Supported by key partnerships, including a 20% stake held by the Finnish Minerals Group, the Keliber lithium project will solidify Finland’s leadership in the green energy sector. Nearly all procurement for the project originates within Finland, adding economic value domestically while minimizing geopolitical and logistics-related risks.

The project’s capacity to produce 15,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually will meet the demands of an increasingly electrified Europe. Expected to be operational for at least 16 years, Keliber not only showcases Finland’s sustainable mining potential but also supports the EU’s vision of secure and responsible energy solutions.

About Sibanye-Stillwater
Sibanye-Stillwater is a multinational mining and metals company committed to advancing responsible and sustainable energy solutions across the globe, with interests in various regions including Europe, the Americas, and Africa.

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SOURCE: Finnvera