Boliden AB, a Swedish mining and smelting company, will invest EUR 40 million, mainly in 2021, to expand nickel operations at its facility in Harjavalta, Finland.
The expansion investment in the nickel line at Harjavalta means that the feed capacity will increase from 310 to 370 ktonnes of raw material per year. The expansion consists of a new concentrate dryer, increased capacity in the electric smelting furnace and granulation, as well as automated tapping of molten metal.
“We are now continuing on our nickel strategy that began in 2015. The investment strengthens our productivity and competitiveness while further improving our already very strong environmental performance,” says Daniel Peltonen, head of Boliden’s Smelters unit. “The investment is also very well coordinated with the facility’s maintenance needs.”
The expansion means that Harjavalta’s carbon dioxide intensity per tonne of nickel produced will decrease by 15-20%. Harjavalta is the largest nickel smelter within the European Union and is in a strong position to meet the growing demand for nickel from, among others, the battery manufacturing sector for the automotive industry.
About Boliden
Boliden is a metals company with a commitment to sustainable development. The company’s core competence is within the fields of exploration, mining, smelting and metals recycling. Boliden has approximately 5,800 employees and a turnover of SEK 50 billion. Its share is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, segment Large Cap.
