Keliber is preparing for the possibility of dumping analcime sand, which will form as a side stream of the production of the future Kokkola lithium chemical plant. Primarily, the aim is to find useful uses for analcime sand, but if the circular economy target is not met, a final disposal site for the sand is planned in Hoikkaneva, Kaustinen. For this purpose, Keliber has prepared an environmental impact assessment programme (EIA programme), which was submitted on 14.10.2022 to the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of South Ostrobothnia (ELY).
The lithium chemical plant produces up to 290,000 tonnes of analcime sand per year as a side stream of lithium hydroxide production. It is intended to be utilised in the structures of the Port of Kokkola extension, for which the Port has a valid environmental permit.
“Analcime sand is a suitable side stream as a building material, which is planned to be used in the port of Kokkola. Our estimate is that the final disposal site does not need to be taken into use, but there must be an opportunity to do so,” says Ceo Hannu Hautala.
The planned disposal area is located in Hoikkaneva, Kaustinen, where it is possible to receive an amount of analcime sand equivalent to 15 years of production. The Hoikkaneva area is located along the road leading to Keliber’s future Päiväeva enrichment plant. The concentrate trucks that take spodumene concentrate from Päiväneva to the Kokkola factory can be utilised in the transport of analcime sand on their way back from Kokkola.
The final disposal site is planned to be built in stages so that in the final filling situation, a mound landscaped as a meadow about 35 meters high will form in the area, with a total area of 22 hectares. In addition, there is space in the area for intermediate storage and treatment of sand, as well as for water treatment. The options considered in the EIA program differ from each other in terms of the progress of the filling, which is determined by the need. The programme also examines the discharge of stormwater generated in the final disposal area into the Poor River.
Photo: Hoikkaneva is located near the planned enrichment plant area along the new Rikastetie road.
The environmental impact assessment is targeted at the project’s likely significant environmental impacts, such as those caused by traffic and the impacts of operations on surface waters and biodiversity. The project area is located in a forestry and peat production area, from which the nearest permanent residential buildings are located at a distance of about three kilometres.
An information and discussion event on the environmental impact assessment programme will be held in the Museum Hall of the Kaustinen Folk Art Centre on Thursday 3.11.2022 at 6 pm, registration by e-mail info@keliber.fi or by calling 010 567 0600. You can also participate in the event online via this link .
The EIA programme is available on the ympäristö.fi website.
More info on:
Hannu Hautala, CEO, Keliber, tel. 040 712 2432
Kari Wiikinkoski, Environmental Manager, tel. 050 375 3204
