Finland opens Europe's first lithium mine

Published: Feb 12, 2026 18:54

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Finland has recently launched a lithium mining project in Kaustinen, western Finland, developed by Keliber, marking the establishment of Europe’s first battery-grade lithium production system. The project encompasses a complete domestic value chain—from mining and beneficiation to refining lithium hydroxide in Kokkola—and is currently the only integrated operation in Europe capable of producing battery materials from ore. With a total investment of approximately €800 million, the project is 80% owned by South African mining company Sibanye-Stillwater, while the remaining 20% is held by the state-owned Finnish Minerals Group.

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