In the beginning of 2000s, Outokumpu decided to focus in stainless steel. Prior to that, the company operated in several areas, including mining, production of other metals and technology. Because of this history, Outokumpu still has old mining areas especially in Finland.
Outokumpu continues to monitor its old mine sites, both those where the company still has obligations and those where they have ended. In 2022, Outokumpu investigated for instance the Enonkoski mine area in Finland to apply for an environmental permit to restore the area.
Outokumpu has environmental permits at a few old mines. In 2022, two minor environmental permit breaches were observed: in Hammaslahti, annual average of leachate pH value and, in Kotalahti, annual average of leachate iron concentration did not meet the requirements of the environmental permits.
Read more about old mines in Finland (in Finnish).
Sustainable mining
Outokumpu is a stainless steel producer with one mine, our chrome mine in Kemi. Sustainability is at the core of our operations, and our target is to minimize our impact on the environment and biodiversity. Outokumpu's operations are guided by our Code of Conduct. We are committed to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Kemi mine is located near our operations in Tornio in Northern Finland, and it is the only chrome mine in the European Union. Outokumpu is a member of the Sustainable Mining network in Finland and committed the Finnish Sustainable Mining standard.
Environmental impacts from Kemi Mine are minimal due to chromium oxide ore, with low leachability and gravity based separation methods with no chemicals and process water recycling.
Contact us
Outokumpu Mining Oy
Kirsi-Marja Fyhr
Environmental Counsel
kirsi-marja.fyhr(at)outokumpu.com
Media enquiries
Outokumpu media desk
Tel. +358 40 351 9840
media(at)outokumpu.com