(Kitco News) - Finland-focused lithium developer Keliber Oy today announced that the Regional State Administrative Agency for Western and Inland Finland has on 28 June 2022 granted the environmental permit for Keliber’s lithium chemical plant, which will be built in Kokkola Industrial Park.
The company said that the environmental permit decision includes a right to start operations despite eventual appeals, which means that Keliber is able to start preparations for the operative phase immediately under the conditions of the permit.
The construction of the lithium chemical plant is scheduled to start this summer and production in 2024. Keliber noted it will produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide, which is needed in the lithium-ion batteries of electric vehicles, among other things.
"The environmental permit for the plant and the right to start operations is good news for us and our customers, as the permit makes it possible for the project to continue within the planned timeframe. When Keliber's product is launched, lithium hydroxide is expected to be in short supply, due to the ongoing green transition that will greatly increase the demand for lithium-ion batteries,” stated CEO Hannu Hautala.
The planned annual production of the lithium chemical plant is 15,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate. Its main raw material is spodumene concentrate, which Keliber will produce from its own ore in the Päiväneva area of Kaustinen.
Keliber is a European, Finnish special chemical and mining company with the aim of producing sustainable, high-purity, battery-grade lithium hydroxide for the growing lithium battery industry in 2024 by utilizing own ore.
The planned operations include lithium mines and the concentrator plant in Kaustinen, Kokkola and Kruunupyy, Finland, and a lithium hydroxide plant in Kokkola.
Sibanye-Stillwater owns approximately 30% of Keliber.
