Newsletter January

Back with the monthly newsletters after the winter holidays, we hope that you had opportunities to relax with family and friends. In the newsletter for January 2025, a flurry of different happenings and activities connected with our Hautalampi battery mineral project!

Hautalampi proposed for carbon capture project
The Hautalampi battery mineral mine has been selected as a potential regional pilot project for carbon capture and storage (CCS). The Outokumpu Industrial Park has entered into a partnership with VTT – Technical Research Centre of Finland to explore innovative solutions, including CCS in hardened backfill of the mine. The Hautalampi mining project belonging to FinnCobalt Oy, part of Eurobattery Minerals, is one of the focus areas for the research.

Carbon capture and storage in backfill for the mine
Over the coming years, the estimated volume of mine backfill of the Hautalampi battery mineral mine—which annually will be some 200,000 m³—presents a great opportunity for carbon dioxide sequestration and storage. The technology is based in the backfill system that will be used at the Hautalampi mine. The setup is under investigation and the R&D will be performed by the Outokumpu Industrial Park. This is indeed great news for Eurobattery Minerals and FinnCobalt!

Read the press release about this interesting project HERE.

Groundwater work at the Hautalampi battery mineral project
Eurobattery Minerals has been conducting groundwater work around Outokumpu, via our subsidiary FinnCobalt Oy. We prioritize environmental and public health and this work is an essential component of environmental monitoring and management and to support the processes for our environmental permitting.

We want to our operations to be as transparent as possible, at the same time as we demonstrate commitment to sustainability and compliance with environmental standards.

The company SKYT will conduct the of measurements of the groundwater elevations and taking samples, and Sumipa Oy will conduct the measurement of the precise coordinates of groundwater pipes. 

Looking for innovations in EIAD together with ABB
Eurobattery Minerals´ Finnish team was invited to the ABB Oy headquarters in Pitäjänmäki. The meeting was hosted by Petri Vuolukka, Industry Segment Manager at ABB Oy. 

Very kind of ABB and Petri to invite us to discover more about your innovative services and your impressive product portfolio in electrification, instrumentation, automation, and digitalization (EIAD) for mining operations.

ABB’s commitment to responsible mining and advancing the green transition aligns perfectly with our vision for a sustainable future in battery minerals. With solutions that drive efficiency and reduce environmental impact, ABB is truly leading the way in transforming the mining industry to meet modern needs.

We look forward to exploring potential collaborations to further these goals. Working together, we believe we can help build the electric, connected, and autonomous mines of the future.

The Hautalampi battery mineral project is featured in Finnish media
The Swedish Department of Yle, the Finnish Public Service Media Company, recently asked for an interview with us via FinnCobalt Oy, part of Eurobattery Minerals. They wanted to get to know our Hautalampi battery mineral project a bit better.

The Outokumpu mine, once a cornerstone of Finnish industry, may soon come alive again, thanks to the Hautalampi project. This new phase of the mining operations will not only support the local economy but also tackle historic environmental issues by using advanced water treatment systems and sustainable practices to limit its ecological impact. The plan is to produce essential minerals for the batteries needed in 100,000 electric vehicles each year. 

For the interview, we also invited the Mayor of Outokumpu, Päivi Lintumäki to take part. This is because we are always grateful for the support of the local community in Outokumpu, something which is essential for ensuring transparency, fostering trust, and aligning with the values of sustainable local development (SLO). 

The YLE article in Swedish: The Outokumpu mine brought back to life – minerals for 100,000 electric cars per year is about to become a reality.

FinnMateria
Our Finnish team attended FinnMateria 2024, one of the leading trade fairs for the extractive industry in the Nordic countries. Held in Jyväskylän kaupunki - City of Jyväskylä, Finland, this event brought together over 2,165 industry professionals and showcased innovations from 130+ exhibitors.

The fair provided a fantastic platform for exploring the latest technology, exchanging ideas on sustainable mining practices, and networking with like-minded professionals. Sustainability, circular economy, and resource efficiency were key themes—areas that resonate strongly with FinnCobalt´s and Eurobattery Minerals' mission of delivering responsibly sourced battery minerals.

Commodity prices – January 2024 to January 2025

New Mineral Strategy from Finland
Finland has unveiled a new National Mineral Strategy and it´s a clear recognition of the critical role our mineral sector plays in securing Europe’s future. By focusing on responsibility, resource efficiency, and innovation, this strategy ensures that Finland continues to lead as a trusted global partner in ethical mineral production.

This is excellent news for our Finnish subsidiary, FinnCobalt Oy, as the strategy emphasizes:

 ✅ Streamlined permitting processes for mining activities.
 ✅ Support for innovation and R&D, fostering new solutions in mining and circular economy practices.
 ✅ Strengthened raw material supply chains to ensure the security of critical minerals.
 ✅ Finland as a global partner in sustainable mining and mineral refinement.

Horizon Europe – DeepBEAT
DeepBEAT (Deep exploration BoostEd by Advanced exploration Technologies) is a Horizon Europe-funded project launched in October 2024, and coordinated by HZDR; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. The consortium comprises 11 partners from Germany, Finland, France, the Czech Republic, and Canada.

The project's primary objective is to develop innovative geochemical methods for detecting deep-seated ore deposits, positioning Europe at the forefront of sustainable mineral exploration. By integrating deep geochemical knowledge with geophysics and social considerations, DeepBEAT aims to create a comprehensive exploration approach that enhances resource mapping and supports responsible resource management. 

Our Finnish subsidiary FinnCobalt Oy has been invited to be part of this journey, advancing sustainable exploration with innovative geochemical technologies. This project just only got started so we will be back with more news about DeepBEAT soon.

Coffee & Conversation in Outokumpu
The FinnCobalt Oy Team organized another Coffee & Conversation in Outokumpu. These informal meetings are held regularly to keep the local community updated on the progress of the Hautalampi battery mineral project. 

The discussion was constructive and positive, with participants showing optimism about the project. We were especially pleased to welcome the Mayor of Outokumpu, Päivi Lintumäki, whose presence was greatly appreciated. 

The Outokumpu Mining Museum
Outokumpu Mining Museum invited the FinnCobalt Oy team for a cosy coffee in the town that is at the very core of Finland's mining heritage.

At the event, we looked back at 2024 and we can be thankful for the support received from theOutokumpu Mining Museum. The legacy of the city of Outokumpu reminds us of the importance of combining tradition with innovation—a principle we carry forward in our efforts to responsibly mine the battery minerals needed for Europe’s green transition

🎷 Supporting Local Culture and Community Spirit in Finland 🧑‍🤝‍🧑
At Eurobattery Minerals, we believe that earning and maintaining a social licence to operate goes beyond responsible mining—it means actively contributing to the local community and fostering transparency and good relations.

Therefore, FinnCobalt proudly hosted "Winter Solstice", a jazz-infused concert featuring renowned artists.