Press release
16 January 2023, Copenhagen, Denmark
FLSmidth and Sibanye-Stillwater’s Finnish subsidiary Keliber have signed a contract to supply pyro-processing equipment that will support the lithium hydroxide refinery, located in Kokkola, Finland.
FLSmidth and Sibanye-Stillwater’s subsidiary company Keliber have entered into an agreement for the supply of pyro-processing technology to the Keliber project’s lithium hydroxide refinery in Kokkola. The agreement is of great strategic importance to both companies, building on the existing relationship involving testing and engineering for the Kokkola lithium hydroxide refinery.
FLSmidth is set to deliver the advanced calcining system that will support critical functions in the overall processes in the refinery. The pyro-processing technology includes a two-stage cyclone preheater, a rotary kiln and an indirect rotary cooler, a natural gas-fired rotary kiln burner and a complete off-gas handling circuit. The two-stage preheater rotary kiln represents the state-of-the-art system for facilitating spodumene phase conversion for maximum lithium recovery, while minimizing fuel consumption.
“The pyro-processing technology is one of our strategic focus areas in the efforts of reducing the energy consumption in mining and by that supporting a more sustainable path for the industry. European lithium mines and refineries are important to the green transition and electrification of the continent, and we are happy to be able to participate in this state-of-the-art project,” comments FLSmidth CEO Mikko Keto.
The Keliber project has previously piloted FLSmidth’s technology using Keliber’s own spodumene concentrate.
"We have seen excellent test results, indicating that the FLSmidth technology has the potential to deliver the required output in an energy efficient way," comments Sami Heikkinen, Site Manager of the future Keliber lithium hydroxide refinery.
The planned annual production from the refinery is expected to be 15,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate and is expected to be one of the first integrated operations in Europe to sustainably produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide utilising its own ore.
The value of the order has not been disclosed.
Contacts:
Investor Relations
Jannick Lindegaard Denholt, +45 21 69 66 57, jli@flsmidth.com
Therese Möllevinge, +45 41 37 16 38, tmo@flsmidth.com
Mikkel Johansen, +45 23 30 29 50, mjoh@flsmidth.com
Media Relations
Rasmus Windfeld, +45 40 44 60 60, rwin@flsmidth.com
About FLSmidth
FLSmidth provides sustainable productivity to the global mining and cement industries. We deliver market-leading technology, products and service solutions that enable our customers to improve performance, drive down costs and reduce environmental impact. MissionZero is our sustainability ambition towards zero emissions in mining and cement by 2030. FLSmidth works within fully validated Science-Based Targets, our commitment to keep global warming below 1.5°C and to becoming carbon neutral in our own operations by 2030. www.flsmidth.com
About Sibanye-Stillwater
Sibanye-Stillwater is a multinational mining and metals Group with a diverse portfolio of mining and processing operations and projects and investments across five continents. The Group is also one of the foremost global PGM autocatalytic recyclers and has interests in leading mine tailings retreatment operations. The Group has established itself as one of the world’s largest primary producers of platinum, palladium, and rhodium and is also a top tier gold producer. It produces other PGMs, such as iridium and ruthenium, along with chrome, copper and nickel as by-products. The Group has recently begun to build and diversify its asset portfolio into battery metals mining and processing and is increasing its presence in the circular economy by growing and diversifying its recycling and tailings reprocessing operations globally. For more information, visit our website at www.sibanyestillwater.com.
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