Phosphate and rare earth elements

Sokli’s mineral resources in Savukoski, Finland are globally unique. They would help to strengthen Europe’s self-sufficiency in important raw materials. We are now surveying the area’s mineral resources and the profitability of mining operations comprehensively, as previous studies have been based on the production of phosphate and iron. If realised, the mine would directly and indirectly employ hundreds of people and it would also become part of the Finnish battery value chain.

In addition to phosphate and iron, the Sokli deposit contains rare earth elements (REE), manganese, vermiculite, niobium and copper.

Frequently asked questions about Sokli

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Sokli Oy has drilled samples for about 24 kilometers since 2023

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One million tons of phosphate could be produced per year

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The production of rare earth elements would be enough to meet the needs of 1,500 wind turbines per year

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Niobium could be produced
80% of Europe's annual need

Sokli could double Europe's phosphate production and strengthen domestic raw material production

Sokli's phosphate production could be up to one million tons per year. The amount is significant in terms of food production, because if used as a raw material for fertilizers, it would feed 60 million people.

Currently, the only phosphate mine in the EU operates in Siilinjärvi, which produces approximately one million tons of phosphate per year. If realized, Sokli would therefore double Europe's phosphate production.

1,500 wind turbines or 2 million electric cars

Some of the rare earth elements found in Sokli, such as neodymium and praseodymium, are raw materials for permanent magnets. The use of permanent magnets has grown greatly in recent years, for example in wind power, but the supply of the main raw materials is dependent on China.

Sokli's annual production of rare earth elements would be enough to meet the needs of about 1,500 new wind turbines or about two million electric car batteries. The Sokli deposit would cover up to 80 percent of the EU's annual need for niobium. Niobium is used, for example, in the defense industry as a raw material for special steel.

Strong impact on the local economy

If realized, the Sokli mining project would have significant effects on the economy of the Eastern Lapland region. During construction and mining operations, the project would directly employ hundreds of people, in addition to which there would be indirect labor impacts. The project already employs locals both directly and indirectly.

Part of the Finnish battery value chain

In addition to the fact that Sokli's minerals could strengthen Europe's self-sufficiency in important raw materials, Sokli would become part of the domestic battery value chain as a raw material producer.

Learn more about Sokli interactively

You can familiarise yourself with the Sokli mining project based on our interactive presentation. The presentation includes satellite, drone and 3D images.

What do Sokli's minerals contain?

Find out more about the raw materials found in Sokli and their uses below. More information opens up when you move the mouse over the name of the raw material and select Read more.

PHOSPHATE

RARE EARTH ELEMENTS

NIOBIUM

OTHER MINERALS

IRON

URANIUM AND TORIUM

MANGANESE

VERMICULITE

ZIRKONIUM AND HAFNIUM

TANTALUM

COPPER

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Profitability is affected by many factors

The profitability of a mine is affected by many factors, such as the world market price of the useful mineral or the valuable substance it contains, the amount of ore in the deposit, the cost of mining, the price of energy, the location of the deposit as well as permit issues.

As a mining option, we are investigating open-pit mining for laterite ores, while for phosphorites and central fracture zone, we are investigating open-pit and underground mining, depending on the location of the ore. The study also includes logistics and infrastructure solutions.

Watch the video, which presents the background, preliminary plans and benefits of the mining project.

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