More than a Mine program launch event brought partners together to build the future of Europe s critical raw materials
The launch event of the More than a Mine program by Sokli Oy brought together companies, research organisations and innovation partners with a shared goal: to turn Sokli’s mineral deposit in Finnish Lapland into a leading R&D and demonstration platform for critical raw materials.
Organised in Espoo on 17 September 2026, the event with more than 120 participants opened discussions on next-generation mining, processing technologies and ecosystem collaboration needed to strengthen Europe’s raw material resilience.
The More than a Mine R&D Veturi program for leading companies built by Sokli Oy and co-funded by Business Finland aims to create an active innovation ecosystem driving systematic R&D collaboration over five-year period. With a budget of approximately €75 million, the program gathers partners from industry, start-ups, SMEs, universities and research institutions to tackle ambitious R&D challenges and co-create sustainable solutions for the mineral sector.
During the lively launch event in Espoo, participants heard about the motivation behind More than a Mine, its key objectives and main R&D themes. The keynote session brought important background addressing the role of innovation ecosystems by Timo Metsä-Tokila from Business Finland, Europe’s critical raw materials future by Matti Hietanen from Finnish Minerals Group and Sokli’s journey from a mineral resource into an industrial ecosystem by Kari Vyhtinen and Pasi Heino from Sokli.
Mission and key objectives of the More than a Mine program was described by Kasperi Karhapää and the role of ecosystem partners and key R&D challenges was highlighted by Jani Adolfsson-Tallqvist. The four key R&D themes of the program were then discussed in more detail in dedicated sessions including brief presentation by Sokli theme leaders followed by short discussion with some ecosystem partners moderated by Markku Heino from Spinverse.
- Intelligent resource development technologies for Critical RawMaterials, led by Mikko Numminen, Sokli & partner viewsby Ville Anttila, CRS, Tero Mäkinen, Taratest & Ville-Matti Seppä, AFRY
- Energy- and resource-efficient mining technologies, led by Jani Ollikainen, Sokli & partner views Ilpo Auranen, IMA Engineering & Ari Tulus, Wirtgen
- Processing solutions for Rare Earth Elements, LFP cathode chemicals, and alloying materials for defence applications, led by Arno-Matti Kirpala, Sokli & partner views by Don Simola, Metso, Tuomas van der Meer, VTT & Erja Retzén, European Resources
- ESG Excellence for the Sokli Carbon Neutral Mine, led by Samuli Nikula, Sokli & partner views by Markus Latvala, Feasib, Jani Kaskinen, Finmeas & Sanandam Bordoloi, Aalto University.
The event also included several networking opportunities with key experts from Sokli and participating organisations serving as good basis for building upcoming collaboration.
More than a Mine R&D themes focus on sustainable value chains and mining renewal – built together with partners
The program’s research and development themes are designed to accelerate battery value chain expansion, support the creation of permanent magnet value chains, promote side stream utilisation and upgrade mineral-processing R&D infrastructure. Sustainability is not limited to a single work package but serves as a cross-cutting theme across the entire program. ESG considerations are integrated into all project activities, supporting the ambition to advance superior water management, climate-neutral mining and a new standard for efficient, low-impact mineral sector renewal.
The launch event highlighted that More than a Mine is built on partnership. Companies and organisations interested in developing cutting-edge technologies and securing Europe’s raw material future are encouraged to engage with the ecosystem, contribute their expertise and bring new ideas into the program’s future collaboration.
Got interested? Get in touch with
Jani Adolfsson-Tallqvist, Sokli. Email: jani.adolfsson@mineralsgroup.fi
Maria Rinkkala, Spinverse. Email: maria.rinkkala@spinverse.com
Sokli Oy is advancing the Sokli mining project in Savukoski, Eastern Lapland. The Sokli deposit is globally significant and, in addition to phosphate and iron, contains rare earth elements and niobium. Utilising these resources would strengthen Finland’s and Europe’s self-sufficiency in raw materials. Sokli Oy is part of Finnish Minerals Group, whose core mission is to responsibly maximise the value of Finland’s minerals. www.sokli.fi