At Outokumpu’s Kemi Mine, all mining operations take place underground. The mine is the source of chromite ore that is concentrated into upgraded lumpy ore and fine concentrate through sophisticated industrial operations at the surface. Both are then transported to our ferrochrome smelter in Tornio, located in the same site as our integrated stainless steel mill.
From very low impact to carbon neutrality
Sustainability is a priority at Outokumpu. The environmental impacts of the mine are very low due to the nature of the process. Chemicals are not used in the beneficiation process, which is based on gravity. The carbon footprint of our ferrochrome is 67% smaller than the industrial average, which in turn makes the carbon footprint of our stainless steel the lowest on the market.
Kemi Mine is set to reach carbon neutrality by 2025. This will be done by utilizing carbon-free electricity, using biofuels in transportation and machinery replacing natural gas and propane gas with biogas in heating as well as mining machinery electrification to reduce the need for fuels. As the first step, the mine is now switching to renewable biofuels, which means that 30% of the overall target has now been reached.
Find out more about our decarbonization journey
1,000 meters deep underground
Outokumpu has finished a significant project at the mine: in 2017–2023, we invested EUR 280 million into deepening our underground mine from 500 meters to 1,000 meters, and we are also switching to new extracting technology. Together, these steps secure the availability of chrome for future decades.
Originally, chromite ore deposits were discovered in Kemi in 1959. Mine operations and ferrochrome production began in 1968. The mine was expanded in 1985 with the launch of Tornio’s second ferrochrome smelting furnace and in 2013 with the opening of a third ferrochrome smelting furnace. In 2003, Kemi mine’s production moved underground 2003 and in 2005 the open pit was exhausted.
Environment and access passes for visitors
Please find safety, environment, and access pass-related material at our Tornio site.
