Keliber Lithium Project Construction to Begin with €588 Million Investment
Construction for Keliber's lithium hydroxide refinery in Kokkola Industrial Park will commence before Christmas. The project involves a total investment of €588 million, with production targeted to begin in 2025.
The construction phase of Keliber's lithium project is set to begin shortly, with preparatory work on the lithium hydroxide refinery in Kokkola Industrial Park commencing before Christmas. The total estimated cost for the project is €588 million.
CEO Hannu Hautala described the start of construction as a significant milestone, with production scheduled to ramp up in 2025. This timeline is expected to benefit Finland's battery cluster and the Kokkola region by creating employment opportunities.
The project is based on an integrated production chain, which includes the lithium hydroxide refinery, a concentrator plant located approximately 66 kilometers away on the border of Kaustinen and Kronoby municipalities, and mining sites. Construction of the concentrator and the nearby Rapasaari mine will proceed once environmental permits are secured.
The construction phase is projected to employ up to 500 people, with roughly half working at the refinery site. Once production reaches a steady state, Keliber anticipates employing approximately 300 people directly and through contractors.
The lithium hydroxide refinery will encompass a building complex exceeding 20,000 square meters. Initial construction activities will involve fencing the site and earthworks. The refinery will utilize soda leaching technology, emphasizing material and energy efficiency. Efforts will be made to maintain low CO2 emissions, and approximately 80% of the process water will be recycled.