Sibelco Nordic Oy Ab belongs to the international Sibelco Group which was founded in 1872 and is today a global material solutions company. Sibelco mines, processes and sells industrial minerals at locations worldwide, focused primarily on silica, clays, feldspathics and olivine. It is also a leader in glass recycling. The Sibelco Group operates over 110 production sites in 31 countries, with a team of over 5,000 people.
The company’s vision includes focus on safety, sustainability and CO2 reduction. Sibelco’s activities can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment and society. It is essential that we proactively manage these impacts in line with the changing expectations of stakeholders and upcoming legislation.
In Finland Sibelco Nordic operates in Kemiönsaari, Nilsiä and Karvia. The quarries are located in Kemiönsaari and Nilsiä.
Kemiö (Kimito) plant manufactures feldspar and quartz products from local pegmatite sources (three quarries) and processes silica sand from Dessel, Belgium and anorthosite (Ca-feldspar) from eastern Finland.
Main applications for products are sanitary ware ceramics, fiberglass and foundries.
Nilsiä has two quarries and the plant manufactures quartz products which are used in water filtration, glass industry, sport applications and foundries.
Sibelco Nordic had no exploration in Finland.
| Yes | No | |
|---|---|---|
| Location in a nature reserve* | ||
| Environmental Management System ** | ||
| Environmental impact assessment required (in accordance with the EIA Act) * | ||
| Measurements for dust | ||
| Measurements for noise | ||
| Measurements for vibration | ||
| Environmental risk assessment carried out | ||
| Deviations from environmental permits *** | ||
| Closure plan for the mine | ||
| Plan for the controlled shutdown of the mine in unexpected situations |
| Yes | No | |
|---|---|---|
| Staff initiative system | ||
| Performance appraisals concerning the entire personnel | ||
| Staff training plan | ||
| Equality plan | ||
| Employee representation in company administration | ||
| Occupational health and safety management system* | ||
| Occupational safety card for everyone working in the area | ||
| Own rescue unit |
Operations at Sibelco sites employ directly and indirectly both local people and companies. One impact of Sibelco for example in Kemiö is the development of some of the forest roads in the area and this has been positive for the local land and forest owners.
In Nilsiä Sibelco participated in the Lake Kauppinen restoration project. The project had as goal to improve the lake’s status and provide better opportunities for recreation. Sibelco has also installed equipment for continous oxidation in the lake to prevent salinity layering.
Sibelco Nordic has small impact on the recreational use . The sites are relatively remote and due to safety regulations the areas are closed for public. Operational hours are determined in the environmental permits and for example in Kemiö the operational hours of the quarry are restricted in summer in order to minimize any disturbance it might have caused for vacationers in the area.
All Sibelco sites have a comprehensive closure plan which includes also a restoration plan. The goal is to progressive restoration in the areas where it is possible. The plans are made in co-operation with the landowners and the authorities.
The company has performed a stakeholder analysis and has a stakeholder engagement and communication plan for each site.
Sibelco Nordic participates in several research and collaboration projects which focus on developing alternatives for the use of tailings, other waste streams or by-products in order to promote the transition towards circularity.
