Outokumpu's Kemi mine to launch an extensive circular economy ecosystem – aiming to create the first European model for utilizing mining side streams

Outokumpu's Kemi mine to launch an extensive circular economy ecosystem – aiming to create the first European model for utilizing mining side streams

Outokumpu's Kemi mine, together with the EU-funded Lapland Mining Hub project and Digipolis in Kemi, is launching a data-driven circular economy ecosystem that aims to transform the mine's side streams from waste into valuable resources while reducing the use of virgin raw materials. The aim is to build a long-term model in which side streams can be utilized on an industrial scale, creating new business in both the Lapland region and internationally. The project, led by the Regional Council of Lapland, aims to strengthen the mining industry’s pioneering role in the region while supporting operators in advancing a vision where a significant share of mining side streams is used as raw material for new products and solutions.

"The EU's green transition increases the need for new kinds of solutions, especially as the need for critical raw materials and material efficiency requirements are rapidly changing the operating environment. The utilization of side streams is no longer just an environmental act, but part of competitiveness and supply security. Our Kemi mine is the only chromium mine in the EU and plays a strategic role in ensuring critical mineral self-sufficiency as well as the entire stable and low-emission value chain. The project now launched at the mine is part of Outokumpu's wider ecosystem in Kemi-Tornio, the future potential of which we see as significant. Our business is strongly based on the circular economy, as more than 95% of the raw materials we use are already recycled," says Martti Sassi, President for Business Area Ferrochrome at Outokumpu. 

Similar industry- and data-driven circular economy models focusing on mining side streams have not previously been implemented in Finland. The production of the Kemi mine generates nearly 3 million tonnes of waste rock and tailings annually, of which waste rock is utilized in the mining area and outside of it. The currently available volumes of side streams could be utilized in the future in several new innovative applications, such as soil amendment materials, low-carbon cement replacement, carbon sequestration, thermal energy storage in sand batteries or mineral recovery. 

The circular economy project will produce transparent mining data on the quantity, quality, and suitability of various side streams for potential new partners. The project is based on strategic cooperation with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, forming the scientific, technological and international foundation of the ecosystem.

Kemi as the pilot site – aiming to expand to other mines in Lapland

The model to be built in the project will first be tested and validated at the Kemi mine, after which it is intended to be applied to other mining areas in Lapland and eventually more widely to Europe. The goal is a long-term collaboration model in which mining, SMEs, research, and public sectors work together.

"We want to create a functional and permanent mining industry ecosystem in the Lapland region, where mine side streams are systematically utilized, and where we are known as a pioneer in responsible mining and the circular economy also outside Finland's borders. The project is funded by the Regional Council of Lapland's European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which is why the aim of the solutions to be developed is to make them replicable and applicable in other areas as well," says Ida Paaso from the Lapland Mining Hub project.

The ecosystem seeks both domestic and international partners, especially in the fields of technology, processing, and material solutions. Local value creation and jobs are at the core, but expertise is also sought outside Finland's borders – for 2026, primarily from Nordic operators who benefit from the proximity of Kemi.

Read more: Lapland Mining Hub - Kick-off of Lapland's mining ecosystem - Regional Council of Lapland (in Finnish)

The call for partners for the Kemi mine circular economy ecosystem will open on the outokumpu.com website in April 2026. During April, a kick-off event will also be held for the project, where companies interested in the project will be presented with the goals, and opportunities to participate in joint development. More detailed information about the event will be published on the website soon.

Outokumpu Corporation

Further information:

Media contacts: Outokumpu media desk, +358 40 351 9840, media(at)outokumpu.com
Business partnership contacts: Janne Rautio, +358 40 196 1114, janne.rautio(at)digipolis.fi
Interested stakeholder contacts: Ida Paaso, +358 40 481 9302, ida.paaso(at)lapinliitto.fi

VTT: Hannu Lepomäki, Senior Advisor, +358 40 768 3972, hannu.lepomaki(at)vtt.fi
GTK: Hannu Lahtinen, Director, Availability of Raw Materials, +358 29 503 5260, hannu.lahtinen(at)gtk.fi

Regional Council of Lapland / Lapland Mining Hub in brief:
The Regional Council of Lapland is the authority responsible for the development and regional vitality of the region of Lapland. It is responsible for the strategic steering of regional development, international cooperation and the implementation of EU regional development funding in Lapland.

Lapland Mining Hub is a development project administered by the Regional Council of Lapland and funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which aims to strengthen Lapland's mining ecosystem and increase research, development and innovation activities based on the needs of companies. The project brings together companies, research and education organisations and public actors to develop new solutions for the value chain of the extractive sector and to promote Lapland's position as a pioneer in the responsible extractive sector. Read more: https://www.lapinliitto.fi/en/

Digipolis in brief:
Kemin Digipolis Oy is a business and development company owned by the City of Kemi that promotes industrial renewal, investments and sustainable business. Digipolis serves as a platform for cooperation between companies, research organisations and the public sector, and coordinates several national and international development projects, especially in the construction of the industrial circular economy, the green transition and new industrial ecosystems.

Digipolis has been systematically developing industrial circular economy solutions for more than a decade and mapped the industrial side streams of Sea Lapland for the first time in 2012. The company supports the creation of new business, business cooperation and investments, especially in the industrial operating environment of Kemi and Sea Lapland, while actively participating in the development of circular economy and industrial symbiosis also more widely in Finland and internationally. More information: www.digipolis.fi