Description of the company
Sibelco Nordic Oy Ab is part of the international Sibelco Group. Founded in 1872, Sibelco is a multinational materials solutions company operating in more than 30 countries and possessing extensive multi-mineral reserves.
The Group focuses on the processing and sale of silica sand, ceramic clays, feldspar minerals, and olivine, as well as glass recycling. Sustainability, including a strong focus on safety and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, is an integral part of the company’s vision.
Sibelco Nordic Oy Ab operates at three locations in Finland (Kemiönsaari (Kemiö), Nilsiä, and Karvia). Mining activities take place at two of these locations, Kemiönsaari and Nilsiä. As the company also engages in activities outside the scope of the Mining Act, reporting financial key figures is challenging.
At Kemiönsaari, pegmatite is extracted from three open-pit mines. In addition, silica sand from the same corporate group in Belgium and anorthosite transported from Lapinlahti are processed at the site. Besides the quarries, the Kemiönsaari facility includes a beneficiation plant as well as drying, further processing, and packaging operations. Its products include feldspar, quartz, anorthosite, and foundry sand. The main end-use markets for these products are the sanitary ceramics and glass fiber industries, as well as foundries.
At Nilsiä, quartzite is extracted from two open-pit mines. Operations consist of quartzite mining, crushing, beneficiation, concentrate drying, and further processing. The main end-use applications for the products are refractory materials, filtration sands, sports and leisure sands, and the glass industry.
Social Responsibility Report
Company in figures
- Production volume: Kemiö 45 395 t, Nilsiä 39 133 t
- Total mining: A total of 85,500 tonnes were extracted. All extraction took place at the company's quarries located in Nilsiä. No extraction activities were carried out in Kemiönsaari during 2025.
- Reported one reserves: Not publicly reported.
- Reported mineral reserves: Not publicly reported.
- Year of commencement: Mineral processing at the Kemiö site commenced in 1966 and the operation has been wholly owned by Sibelco since 1999. The area's pegmatite deposits have been exploited on a small scale since the 18th century. Mineral processing at Nilsiä commenced in 1976 and the operation has been wholly owned by Sibelco since 1999. The deposit has been exploited since 1914.
- Expected remaining life of the mine: Kemiö more than 50 years, Nilsiä more than 100 years.
- Mining area: Kemiö 120 ha, Nilsiä 147,5 ha
- Number of own employees (31.12.): 55
- The main localities of the employees: Kemiönsaari 39 %, Kuopio 14 %, others Salo, Turku, Karvia, Kankaanpää.
- Number of permanent contractors (31.12.): 10-20
- Operating profit EBITDA: Not publicly reported
- Paid capital gains tax: Not publicly reported
Information about prospecting
Sibelco Nordic Oy Ab did not do exploration in 2025.
- Number and area of reservation areas: 0
- Number and area of exploration permit areas: 0
- Number and area of exploration permit application: 0
- Exploration permits under appeal: 0
- Exploration drilling: 0
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 |
- ** ISO 14001, certified.
- Environmental permit granted: kyllä
- Year of permit: Kemiö: latest permit 2016, Nilsiä: latest permit 2024.
- Link of permit: https://ytietopalvelu.lvv.fi/fi-FI
- Guarantee in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act: Kemiö: 200 000 €, Nilsiä: 854 906 €
- Financial guarantee in accordance with the mining act in the mining permit area: Kemiö: 36 000 €, Nilsiä: 30 000 €
- Financial guarantee in accordance with the mining act in mineral exploration permit area: 0
Key Figures
- Amount of mining waste: Kemiö: 18,394 tonnes of wet tailings and 15,151 tonnes of dry tailings were generated. Nilsiä: 5,553 tonnes of wet tailings were generated. No dry tailings were generated.
- Utilixation of extractive waste: No beneficial use for the tailings. At Kemiönsaari, 4,042 tonnes of waste rock were utilized in quarry infrastructure and construction works.
- Fuel Consumption: 0,3 GWh (ei sis. urakoitsijoita)
- Other energy consumption: Kemiönsaari: Electricity consumption was 5.0 GWh and LPG consumption was 3.9 GWh. Nilsiä: Electricity consumption was 1.2 GWh and LPG consumption was 0.7 GWh.
- Energy consumption target: 12,1 GWh, achieved (Kemiö ja Nilsiä in total 10,8 GWh)
- CO2 emissions from the mine: Kemiö 1,07 kt, Nilsiä 0,28 kt (Scope 1 & 2)
- Water consumption: Kemiönsaari: A total of 92,747 m³ of seawater used as process water. In addition, surface water and groundwater collected and utilized in the process. Nilsiä: No raw water was abstracted. The processing plant operates with a closed water circulation system.
- Discharge of water outside the mining area: Kemiö: 477 135 m3, Nilsiä: 79 734 m3
- Number of dams in the mining area: Kemiö 2, Nilsiä 2
- Endangered species are present in the operational area: ei
- Use of environmentally hazardous chemicals: Kemiö: 73 t, Nilsiä: 50 t
- Biodiversity actions: At the Kemiö location, a former till extraction area that had been used as a borrow area for the tailings dam was rehabilitated by planting trees and creating ponds to serve as drinking water sources for wildlife and to enhance local biodiversity.
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 |
- * ISO 45001, certified.
Key Figures
- Average training days: 1,5
- Sickness absences (excluding contractors): Not publicly reported.
- Accident frequency: 0
- Shift systems in use: Varying shifts day and night. Working hours are 7.5 hours, 8 hours, or 12 hours per shift, or alternatively based on flexible working hours.
- Share of women in the labour force: 30 %
Impact on the use and livelihoods of nearby areas
Impact on local livelihoods:
The operations provide both direct and indirect employment opportunities for local residents and support local businesses.
In particular, the company’s activities in Kemiönsaari have significantly improved the coverage and condition of local forest roads, thereby facilitating the activities of landowners and forestry operators in the area.
Impact on nearby recreational use:
a {
text-decoration: none;
color: #464feb;
}
tr th, tr td {
border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;
}
tr th {
background-color: #f5f5f5;
}
In the company’s own assessment, its operations have not had any adverse impacts on recreational use in the surrounding areas. Access to operational sites is restricted for safety reasons, which may limit movement in nearby areas. Operating hours are defined in the environmental permits with consideration for local residents and recreational activities. At the Kemiö location, operations are subject to restrictions during the summer season in order to minimize disturbance to holiday homes and seasonal residents.
At Nilsiä, Sibelco has participated in financing the restoration project of Lake Kauppinen, the purpose of which was to improve the condition of the lake and enhance its recreational value. A continuous aeration system has also been installed in Lake Kauppinen to prevent salt stratification in the water body.
At both Kemiö and Nilsiä, the company pays an annual fisheries management fee as required by its environmental permits. The purpose of this fee is to compensate for any potential impacts of the operations on the receiving water bodies.
Impact on landscape value:
Open-pit mines have a local impact on landscape values. The quarries and processing plant buildings are not visible from the nearest residential areas, nor do they have a direct line of sight to the nearest public roads.
Landscape restoration plans have been prepared for all sites as part of the mine closure plans. Where feasible, restoration measures are also implemented progressively during operations. Landscape values are taken into consideration in operational planning, including, for example, the placement and design of storage areas.
Interaction with stakeholders
Stakeholder cooperation:
The company has carried out a stakeholder analysis for each operating site and, based on the results, developed an action plan for stakeholder engagement and communications.
Research and cooperation projects:
The company is involved in ongoing research and collaboration initiatives aimed at the utilization of by-products and/or waste streams, as well as other projects that support the advancement of the circular economy. The company has also participated in a long-term research project focused on the commercialization, valorization, and beneficial use of mineral processing tailings.