Sokli Oy is a project company wholly owned by Finnish Minerals Group (Suomen Malmijalostus Oy). Finnish Minerals Group’s task is to maximize the value of Finnish minerals responsibly. In December 2020, Finnish Minerals Group acquired the rights related to the Sokli mining project located in Savukoski in Northern Finland.
The Sokli phosphate deposit was discovered in 1967 and has been studied ever since. The phosphorus contained in phosphate is an important raw material for fertilizer in agriculture, and it is also used as a raw material in the battery industry. In addition to phosphate, the Sokli deposit contains several raw materials needed for the green transition. Sokli’s new mining district is about 5,900 hectares after the ongoing mining district delivery is completed.
Sokli Oy does not conduct ore exploration outside the valid mining district. We are committed to the principles of the mining responsibility and ore exploration system, and they are taken into account in the development of operations. The mining liability system will be introduced as the project progresses to the approval stage.
The preliminary survey of the Sokli mining project was completed at the end of 2022. The results of the survey show that in addition to phosphate and iron, Sokli could produce e.g. rare earth elements (REE), which are essential in the transition to renewable energy. Sokli could produce at least 10% of the amount of rare earth elements that Europe needs to manufacture permanent magnets every year. This amount would cover the need for permanent magnets for 1,500 industrial wind turbines or 2 million electric cars. In addition, more than 20% of Europe’s annual phosphate need could be obtained from Sokli. Sokli’s phosphate could be used to make fertilizers that would ensure food production for more than 60 million people a year. However, only a small part of the mineral potential has been explored.
The Regional Administration Office granted an environmental and water management permit to carry out mining and beneficiation activities in Sokli in 2018. In March 2022, the Supreme Administrative Court returned the permit for processing by the Regional Administration Office. The situation has changed from the plans approved in 2018, and as a result of the preliminary investigation, issues have been identified that still require further investigation. Sokli Oy canceled the permit process pending at the Regional Administration Agency in February 2023. If further studies confirm the conclusions of the preliminary study, and the EIA and permit processes could be started after them and the construction of the mine’s infrastructure could begin in the early 2030s.
Sokli Oy does not conduct ore exploration outside the valid mining district.
| 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 the environmental permit *** | ||
| 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 |
Sokli Oy has renovated and demolished the buildings in the area and the area has been cleaned.
For Finnish Minerals Group, effective dialogue with the residents of Savukoski, decision-makers and the councils of the Sokli area of influence is very important. We actively participate in the wider mining industry discussion and communicate our work at local events and through our website. You can give feedback via the feedback form, which is saved in our electronic processing system.
Sokli Oy is a company from Savukoski. We regularly organize open events at our Savukoski office, where anyone interested can come and talk to us and hear about current issues related to Sokli.
Our electronic newsletter comes out about once a month, and through it everyone interested can get current information about Sokli. Sokli’s newsletter (in Finnish) can be ordered at: sokliutiskirje.mineralsgroup.f
Sokli Oy is doing extensive research and development work related to the project to find out the entire mineral potential.
