Description of the company
The Kevitsa deposit in Sodankylä was discovered in 1987. Production at the mine began in 2012. Kevitsa became part of the Boliden Group in June 2016. Boliden Kevitsa is the largest open pit mine in Finland in terms of production volume. The mine’s main products are nickel and copper concentrates, and it also produces significant amounts of platinum, palladium, gold and small amounts of cobalt. The mine’s production includes ore mining, crushing, grinding and enrichment, where valuable metals are separated from the ore. The ore concentrate is delivered to Boliden’s own smelters in Harjavalta and Rönnskär. Production is planned to continue until 2034.
Results according to the TSM Finland Standard
| C | B | A | AA | AAA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Outreach | |||||
| Biodiversity Management | |||||
| Tailings management | |||||
| Water management | |||||
| Climate change management | |||||
| Mine closure | |||||
| Occupational health and safety | |||||
| Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) | NA |
Crisis management
| Crisis management preparedness | Internal review | Training and exercises | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crisis Management Planning – Corporate | |||
| Crisis Management Planning – Site |
Social Responsibility Report
Company in figures
- Production volume: Total 230 217 tonnes: nickel concentrate 136 881 tonnes, copper concentrate 93 336 tonnes
- Total mining: 30,7 million tons (ore 30 %, waste rock 70 %)
- Reported one reserves: 88,4 Mt
- Reported mineral reserves: 186,2 Mt
- Year of commencement: Year of discovery 1987, start of mining 2012
- Expected remaining life of the mine: 8 years
- Mining area: 1420 ha
- Number of own employees (31.12.): 538
- The main localities of the employees: Sodankylä 63 %, Rovaniemi 11 %, Inari 4 %, Salla 3 %, Oulu 3 % and others 16 %
- Number of permanent contractors (31.12.): about 300
- Operating profit EBITDA: 180 944 467 €
- Paid capital gains tax: 19 490 461 €
Information about prospecting
In 2025, Boliden Kevitsa’s core exploration activities were concentrated in Central Lapland spanning the munincipalities of Sodankylä, Savukoski, Kittilä and Pelkosenniemi and in Central Finland, covering the munincipalities of Kiuruvesi, Pyhäjärvi, Pielavesi, Lapinlahti, Kuopio, Kärsämäki and Pieksamäki. Boliden primarily explores for nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and platinium-group metals (PGE). The company employs a range of exploration and research methods, including deep drilling, basal till and crushed rock sampling, geophysical surveys, hammer-based grab sampling, geochemical sampling using hand tools (targeting till, stream sediments, vegetation, etc.) and bedrock mapping.
- Number and area of reservation areas: 1 pcs ja 1283 ha
- Number and area of exploration permit areas: 38 pcs ja 36 524,52 ha
- Number and area of exploration permit application: 10 pcs ja 10 759,67 ha
- Exploration permits under appeal: 1 pcs
- Exploration drilling: 23,7 km
Environment
| 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 |
- ** SFS-EN ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (internal audit 04/2025, external audit 05/2026, certified - valid until 12/2026); ICMM - International Council of Mining and Metals and Water Stewardship (internal audit 04/2025, external audit 05/2026); Mining Responsibility System (internal self-assessment 04-06/2026, external verification 05/2024) (next 04/2027); GISTM - Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (internal verification 04/2024, external verification 04/2025); SFS-EN ISO 9001 Quality Management (not certified).
- *** (7 pcs) Permit deviations have been related to water sampling within the mining area and to the undercutting of the protective layer thickness in the ore interim storage area. No permit limit deviations have occurred in waters discharged from the mining area.
- Environmental permit granted: kyllä
- Year of permit: Permit updated in 2025
- Link of permit: https://ytietopalvelu.lvv.fi/fi-FI/asia/2230486
- Guarantee in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act: 159,436 million euros
- Financial guarantee in accordance with the mining act in the mining permit area: 15,4 million euros
- Financial guarantee in accordance with the mining act in mineral exploration permit area: 168 500€
Key Figures
- Amount of mining waste: 31,34 million tons (tailings A and B 32 %, waste rock 68 %)
- Utilixation of extractive waste: 58 % of waste rock is utilized within the mine area
- Fuel Consumption: 247 GWh
- Other energy consumption: Electricity 462 GWh (renewable and fossil fuels energy source's proportions unknown), Heat 37,1 GWh (97 % renewable, 3 % fossil)
- Energy consumption target: The energy consumption reduction target was achieved. The target was 34.6 GWh for the period 2020-2025.
- CO2 emissions from the mine: 91,700 tonnes of CO₂ (from heat, electricity, mobile equipment including contractors, and explosives; Scopes 1 and 2), equivalent to 2.63 tonnes of CO₂/tonne of metal produced.
- Water consumption: 25,5 Mm3, from which 18,2 % of raw water
- Discharge of water outside the mining area: 3,32 Mm3
- Number of dams in the mining area: 5 pcs in total (2pcs class 1, 2 pcs class 2, 1 pcs class 3)
- Endangered species are present in the operational area: ei
- Use of environmentally hazardous chemicals: Sodium isopropyl xanthate (SIPX) 329 t, potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) 50,8 t
- Biodiversity actions: Compensation measures for the red-breasted merganser, common goldeneye and eagle populations are implemented by installing nest boxes and nesting platforms in the surrounding area. The locations of these structures are reported only to the relevant authorities. The use of the installed nest boxes and the breeding success of the birds occupying them are monitored annually during both late-winter maintenance visits and inspections conducted during the breeding season, which also enable the assessment of nesting success. The impacts on protected species occurring in the vicinity of the mine are monitored and reported in accordance with the environmental monitoring programme. In 2022, Kevitsa developed a Biodiversity Management Plan aimed at promoting biodiversity. The plan was internally audited in 2023, translated into Finnish, communicated to personnel through training, and supported with increased biodiversity-related communications. The management plan is updated annually. Kevitsa also received international recognition for its biodiversity efforts through Boliden’s Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting. In 2023, studies were conducted on the feasibility of relocating threatened species in connection with future projects, and ecological surveys were carried out for potential new land-use areas. In addition, trials began with the CLimB biodiversity metric to assess the impacts of land use on biodiversity and to evaluate the need for ecological compensation measures. At the end of 2024, the company expanded the habitat of the moor frog (Rana arvalis) by constructing ponds and blocking nearby drainage ditches. During 2025, the habitat was allowed to stabilize, and the next assessment of frog colonisation and movement is scheduled for 2026. On the waste rock area, trials are being conducted to evaluate the establishment and suitability of native plant species for mine closure and reclamation purposes. In mineral exploration activities, the presence of potentially threatened species is taken into account during both the planning and implementation of exploration work. For example, in wetland and peatland areas, exploration activities are primarily carried out during winter. Buffer zones are maintained around known occurrences of threatened plant species, and no mechanised exploration work is undertaken during the breeding seasons of sensitive bird species. The company also monitors the environmental impacts of its exploration activities.
Personnel and security
| 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 |
- * SFS-EN ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management (internal audit 04/2025, external audit 09/2024, certified - valid until 12/2026)
Key Figures
- Average training days: 1,0 days / employee / year
- Sickness absences (excluding contractors): Total 6,1 %, short-time 3,9 % and long-time 2,2 %
- Accident frequency: Total 5,7: own 5,8 and contractors 5,6
- Shift systems in use: Continuous 3-shift system (12 h (4 days work / 6 days off)), Continuous 1-shift system (12 h (4 days work / 5 days off) & 10 h, (5 days work / 5 days off)), Day shift (8 h and 7,5 h)
- Share of women in the labour force: 18 %
Impact on the use and livelihoods of nearby areas
Impact on local livelihoods:
Mining operations take place over an area of 1,420 hectares within the Oraniemi reindeer herding cooperative’s territory (0.4% of the cooperative’s total area). The mining area is fenced, but reindeer occasionally still wander into the site. The reindeer fence is regularly inspected and maintained by local herders. Any adverse impacts on reindeer herding are compensated financially on an annual basis, in accordance with a written agreement. The municipality, local residents, landowners, professional fishers, environmental organizations, and reindeer herding cooperatives are all considered in the company’s stakeholder engagement efforts. In exploration activities, local service providers are primarily used for subcontracting.
Impact on nearby recreational use:
Boliden Kevitsa has assessed that its operations have had an impact on recreational use in the surrounding area, mainly affecting berry picking and hunting. The mining area has previously been, and still is, used for moose hunting. Berry picking is assumed to have decreased in areas directly adjacent to the mining concession. However, the edibility of berries and mushrooms has been confirmed through scientific studies.
Impact on landscape value:
Landscape values have been taken into account in the company’s operations. The mine closure plan includes a landscaping plan.
Interaction with stakeholders
Stakeholder cooperation:
Since 2020, Kevitsa has maintained a stakeholder cooperation group that meets regularly four times a year. This practice continued in 2025.
Topics discussed by the stakeholder cooperation group in 2025 included Mining Phase 5, the expansion of the mining concession area, public and private interests, the extension of the operating life of the current tailings storage facility and changes to its raising method, the environmental permit update, a thinner cover structure, updates to the monitoring programme, surface water quality, mineral exploration, the closure plan, mine closure, the reclassification of extractive waste, and material efficiency. Meetings of the stakeholder cooperation group are also accompanied by meetings of the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) follow-up group. In addition, the third stakeholder event of the year was held as an open public meeting at the municipal hall in the centre of Sodankylä.
Boliden’s stakeholder feedback channel, available on the company’s website, helps Kevitsa develop cooperation with its stakeholders. Through this channel, external stakeholders can submit requests, observations, suggestions for improvement, and complaints to Kevitsa. In 2025, Kevitsa did not receive any complaints through the feedback channel.
In 2025, the University of Lapland conducted its fifth consecutive follow-up study, Perceived Impacts of Mining Activities in Sodankylä (in finnish), examining the views and experiences of Sodankylä residents regarding the extractive industry. The study assesses the so-called social licence to operate in Sodankylä and indicates that residents generally maintain a positive attitude towards both their municipality and the mining sector.
Mining activities have had positive impacts on educational opportunities, employment and career prospects, as well as the availability of services. Compared with the survey conducted two years earlier, these positive perceptions have become more pronounced, particularly with regard to municipal finances and employment. At the same time, respondents highlighted the negative impact of mining on the municipality’s housing situation. Concerns about environmental impacts also remained significant, especially in the context of progressing climate change and the decline of biodiversity.
Research and cooperation projects:
During 2025, Kevitsa participated in the following research and collaborative projects as a funding partner, research site, and/or member of steering groups:
- Goldenram – Utilizing remotely operated technology for dam safety and environmental monitoring.
- C-SINK – Carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage.
- Utilization of green liquor dregs for pH control in the flotation process.
- Biopeitto3 – Biocover solutions for promoting ecosystem recovery in mine closure and post-closure management.
- TypArkt – Treatment of nitrogen- and heavy metal-containing runoff waters in Arctic regions using hybrid treatment solutions.
- Environmental Impacts of Mineral Exploration (METYV)