Keliber's production method is in many ways unique. Biogas from waste is used both as energy and raw material in a continous production process for lithium carbonate. The processing method has been developed in close cooperation with various technological partners i.a. the international minerals processing and metallurgical technologies company Outotec Oyj. Keliber’s proven and fully tested concept has processing perspectives beyond a crystallised carbonate product consistently high in lithium (>99.9 per cent). Keliber and Nordic Mining have started to investigate on the potential for downstream processing of lithium-based chemicals as a direct or indirect continuance of the processing route.
"The prize award is an acknowledgement of Keliber's production process and a solid statement that lithium production with use of biogas from waste has environmental advantages which we also expect will be highly awarded by customers in the coming years," says Keliber's GM Olle Sirén.
The other persons on the picture are (on Mr. Siréns left side) Mr. Kalevi Hakala, chairman of Ostrobothnia product development and innovation society, and (on the right side) Mr. Vesa Kojola, departement manager at the National Technology Agency of Finland (TEKES).
Photo by photographer Juha Sallinen of the Finnish newspaper Keskipohjanmaa.
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Lithium carbonate in Finland
The global demand for lithium carbonate is expected to grow substantially in the coming years, mainly driven by strong growth in the battery sector as a consequence of increased sales of electrified and hybrid cars, portable tools and batteries to other industrial applications. The battery segment is now representing approximately one fourth of the global use of lithium carbonate. Lithium, in combination with other minerals, brings unique properties to modern batteries.
Nordic Mining is exploring various development scenarios for the lithium project, and have received an offer for a bankable feasibility study with the purpose to establish a complete project documentation for financing and possible joint venture assessment. In connection with this, a limited drilling program in order to increase the estimated mineral resources at Keliber’s main deposit at Länttä is evaluated.