Description of the company
The Kemi mine is owned by Outokumpu Chrome Oy, a subsidiary of Outokumpu Oyj. It is located in Elijärvi, in the municipality of Keminmaa, north of the city of Kemi. The Kemi mine is the only chromium mine in the European Union.
The mine is part of Outokumpu’s integrated ferrochrome and stainless steel production chain in the Kemi–Tornio area. In the long production chain from chrome ore to stainless steel, the Kemi mine produces chrome concentrates from chrome ore for use as raw material in ferrochrome production at the ferrochrome plant in Tornio. The chromium contained in the ferrochrome produced at the plant makes steel stainless.
As part of Outokumpu’s EVOLVE strategy, we are maximizing value from our Kemi chrome mine and repositioning our ferrochrome business from an internal supplier to an unrestricted market player.
The Kemi mine was opened in 1968, less than ten years after the ore deposit was discovered. Chrome ore was mined in an open pit until 2005; since then, all ore has been extracted from the underground mine.
The environmental impacts of the Kemi mine’s operations are minor due to the insolubility of the oxidic chrome ore, the chemical-free gravity-based beneficiation process, and the closed process-water circulation covering the entire mining and beneficiation process.
The Kemi mine’s carbon-neutrality target is advanced by using low-carbon electricity, biofuels in transport and mobile machinery, and low-emission alternatives to replace fossil fuels. The mine uses entirely low-carbon electricity, biofuels in vehicles and mobile machinery, and an increasing number of electrically powered mining machines. New solutions are also continuously developed to reduce the carbon footprint of mining operations.
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) |
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: Lumpy concentrate 146 200 t and fine concentrate 736 700 t
- Total mining: 3,2 Mt (70 % ore and 30 % waste rock)
- Reported one reserves: 66,6 Mt (23,3 % Cr203) (PERC)
- Reported mineral reserves: 96,9 Mt (29,1 % Cr203) (PERC)
- Year of commencement: 1968
- Expected remaining life of the mine: 20-30 years
- Mining area: 990 hectares (including auxiliary areas)
- Number of own employees (31.12.): 224 employees
- The main localities of the employees: Kemi 40 %, Tornio 19 %, Keminmaa 22 %, other 19 %
- Number of permanent contractors (31.12.): 240 person
- Operating profit EBITDA: Not reported separately; included in Outokumpu’s Ferrochrome business area reporting
- Paid capital gains tax: Not reported separately; included in Outokumpu’s broader reporting
Information about prospecting
Outokumpu Chrome Oy has one exploration permit area in Keminmaa, Nuottijänkä, permit ID ML2021:0010, with an area of 446.12 ha. Drilling was carried out in the area in 2025, targeting chromium (Cr), i.e. the eastern and western extensions of the Kemi mine chromite ore deposit. The drill holes were also analyzed for potential platinum-group elements (PGE).
- Number and area of reservation areas: Saarenkylänkangas (1kpl), 578 ha
- Number and area of exploration permit areas: Nuottijänkä (1 kpl), 454 ha
- Number and area of exploration permit application: -
- Exploration permits under appeal: 0
- Exploration drilling: 12,5 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 |
- ** In accordance with EN ISO 9001:2015 and EN ISO 14001:2015.
- *** 1 pc. Decreased removing efficiency of sanitary treatment unit.
- Environmental permit granted: kyllä
- Year of permit: Environmental and water management permit for the Kemi chromite mine and concentration plant and permit to commence operations, Decision No. 125/20/1 (Case No. PSAVI/121/04.08/2010), 27 December 2010
- Link of permit: -
- Guarantee in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act: 8 978 477 €
- Financial guarantee in accordance with the mining act in the mining permit area: 100 000 €
- Financial guarantee in accordance with the mining act in mineral exploration permit area: 2 000 €
Key Figures
- Amount of mining waste: Waste rock 0,97 Mt, tailings 1,17 Mt, lumpy rock 0,29 Mt
- Utilixation of extractive waste: Waste rock 100 %, lumpy rock 100 %
- Fuel Consumption: 27.0 GWh (fuel consumption of mobile equipment in the mine area; includes consumption by the company and contractors)
- Other energy consumption: Electricity 98,8 GWh (100 % low-carbon electricity), heat 17,5 GWh
- Energy consumption target: -
- CO2 emissions from the mine: 1382 tonnes CO2-fossil and 0,6 kg CO2-fossil per tonne of ore
- Water consumption: Process water intake at the concentration plant 2,87 Mm3 (raw water share 0,01 %)
- Discharge of water outside the mining area: 1,8 Mm3
- Number of dams in the mining area: 7 (class 2), 1 (class 1)
- Endangered species are present in the operational area: kylla
- Use of environmentally hazardous chemicals: Gravity-based beneficiation method; no environmentally hazardous chemicals are used
- Biodiversity actions: At the Kemi mine, biodiversity is monitored and promoted through a long-term approach as an integral part of mining operations, landscaping and closure planning, as well as assessments carried out in accordance with the No Net Loss principle. The state of biodiversity is monitored through nature surveys and studies of diatoms, benthic fauna, fish populations and birdlife, in cooperation with experts and local birdwatchers. Practical measures include fish translocations, the installation of artificial bird nests and a swallow hotel, as well as habitat management in the pond areas. The mine’s pond areas have developed into an important habitat for a diverse range of bird species and other wildlife. Every effort is made to minimise the environmental impacts of mining while maintaining and enhancing the area’s natural values.
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 |
- * The Kemi mine uses an occupational health and safety management system aligned with ISO 45001; it is not certified.
Key Figures
- Average training days: 0,8 days/person/year
- Sickness absences (excluding contractors): 5,8 %
- Accident frequency: LTI 0,0; TRI 1,1
- Shift systems in use: Monday–Friday one-shift, two-shift and three-shift systems; 8- and 12-hour working-day systems; flexible working hours; and weekday work arrangements
- Share of women in the labour force: 13 %
Impact on the use and livelihoods of nearby areas
Impact on local livelihoods:
The Kemi mine is located in the municipality of Keminmaa in the Sea Lapland region. Together with the Tornio plants, the Kemi mine is a major direct and indirect employer in the region. Other livelihoods in the immediate surroundings include agriculture, forestry, and soil and aggregate operations. The Kemi mine is not located within the reindeer husbandry area.
Impact on nearby recreational use:
According to the company’s own assessment, its operations have not had significant impacts on recreational use of nearby areas. Activities in the vicinity of the mine include outdoor recreation, berry picking and hunting.
Impact on landscape value:
The dominant features of the Kemi mine’s operations are mining structures such as headframes and waste-rock piles. The mine is surrounded by mires and forests, and therefore landscape impacts in the immediate vicinity occur only in places. Mining operations mainly affect the distant landscape, more than 5 km from the mine area. The greatest distant-landscape impacts occur to the south-west, towards the roof of Kemi City Hall and the Ajos shoreline. Minor impacts also occur to the north-west, towards the shore by Keminmaa Old Church and museum, where the waste-rock areas appear as a thin silhouette above the tree line.
Landscape values have been considered in the mine’s operations and closure plan. The Kemi mine aims to account for biodiversity in landscaping and closure plans, taking species typical of the area into consideration. All mine operations seek to keep environmental impacts, such as dust and impacts on water bodies, as low as possible within the mine area and its immediate surroundings. Another objective is to maintain and promote the positive impacts of the mine area, including those on birdlife.
Interaction with stakeholders
Stakeholder cooperation:
Stakeholder cooperation is a key part of the Kemi mine’s responsible operations. Open dialogue ensures that different parties receive up-to-date information about the mine’s operations, can raise their perspectives, and can participate in developing the mine’s activities. The aim is to build trust, prevent misunderstandings, and promote a sustainable future for the mine and its surrounding area.
The Kemi mine’s key stakeholders include employees, contractors, authorities, the municipality of Keminmaa, the city of Kemi, local media, nearby residents and landowners, educational institutions, service providers and consumables suppliers, and organizations and associations. Engagement is based on openness, proactive exchange of information and a functioning feedback channel. Questions, concerns, and development proposals are collected through cooperation meetings and by email ([email protected]).
Dialogue and meetings
In 2025, stakeholder cooperation took place through cooperation-group meetings, a neighbours’ day, and separate stakeholder meetings. Key discussion themes included the development of mine operations, safety, environmental matters and mineral exploration. The discussions also covered changes in the operating environment that affect mining, such as regulation, taxation, energy costs and the general acceptance of operations. Views were also exchanged on the circular economy, biodiversity, and impacts on water bodies and noise. The mine’s importance to the region’s vitality and future was also discussed.
The meetings presented the mine’s current projects, the outlook for production and mineral exploration, and its environmental and sustainability work. Feedback, questions and development proposals from stakeholders supported the dialogue and were used to improve operations and communications. Cooperation with local nature and research organizations covered biodiversity and environmental monitoring matters.
Partners and local activities
During 2025, the mine hosted visits from educational institutions, partners and other external parties. The company also supported local education, youth work, sports, recreational and cultural activities, as well as leisure activities for employees’ families.
Research and cooperation projects:
In 2025, research and development focused on reducing environmental impacts and advancing the carbon-neutrality. This objective was supported by increasing the use of low-carbon solutions and improving the energy efficiency of operations. During the year, heating for the underground mine’s ventilation raises was converted from propane to low-carbon electricity. Research and development also continued to reduce the carbon footprint of mine backfill and shotcrete, and the suitability of electric mining equipment was assessed based on practical operating experience. Mine ventilation optimization and water management were further developed to reduce energy consumption and improve the management of environmental impacts.
The Kemi mine also participated in several collaborative projects, including the Vesitar project (industrial water treatment solutions) and the Action4Commons study (collective stakeholder cooperation in the governance of common goods). The mine also took part in various webinars and workshops addressing topics such as the utilization of mining side streams and the circular economy.