POWERING THE GREEN TRANSITION FROM FINLAND
TERRAFAME
TERRAFAME
TERRAFAME LTD POWERING THE GREEN TRANSITION FROM FINLAND
Terrafame Ltd is a Finnish mining enterprise renowned for its innovative approach to extracting and refining battery-grade metals, with a core emphasis on sustainability, environmental responsibility, and technological innovation. Situated in Sotkamo in Northern Finland, Terrafame has rapidly emerged as a pivotal player in the global supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and related industries, serving as a model for sustainable mining practices in the modern era.
Terrafame Ltd, founded in 2015, is a multi-metal and chemical company headquartered in Sotkamo, Finland. It operates one of the world’s largest integrated industrial sites to produce battery chemicals, primarily used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, with a focus on contributing to the transition towards cleaner energy and transportation systems. Its emphasis on circular economy principles and eco-friendly operations has positioned it at the forefront of responsible raw material extraction.
In March 2024, Terrafame Ltd appointed seasoned industry veteran Seppo Voutilainen as CEO, following an interim stint that began in January of the same year with over 30 years of experience across the chemical and mining sectors—including leadership roles at Agnico Eagle and Kemira—Voutilainen brings deep operational and technical expertise. Under his leadership, Terrafame is transforming from a mining operator into a full-scale European battery chemicals powerhouse. Voutilainen’s mandate is
Project by: Malvern Kandemwa Words by: Michelle Duncan
clear: shepherd Terrafame’s integrated production—from mine to battery-grade chemicals—into the next phase of low-carbon industrialization Voutilainen’s leadership emphasizes operational excellence through digitalization, efficiency improvements, and cost management. His role involves navigating market challenges, improving supply chains, and ensuring that the company’s growth plans are sustainable and financially viable.
Terrafame’s daily operations involve underground mining activities, ore processing, and metal extraction. Key activities include ore excavation, crushing, milling, and hydrometallurgical processing of raw materials. The company manages environmental controls, safety protocols, and logistics for the transportation and storage of materials. Additionally, regular maintenance and quality assurance ensure operational efficiency and product standards. In recent years, Terrafame has undergone significant transformations to adapt to market demands and sustainability expectations. Leadership has focused on diversifying product offerings beyond traditional metals into battery-grade chemicals and expanding production capacity. Strategic leadership prioritizes innovation, digitalization, and sustainable practices to enhance competitiveness and resilience in the evolving green technology market.
SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES:
The increase in electric car sales drives demand for batteries, which offers many opportunities for battery chemicals produced by Terrafame. As the only major manufacturer of battery chemicals in the European Union, Terrafame can offer its customers a small carbon footprint and a transparent supply chain. Its climate impacts are the lowest in the industry, thanks to a unique bioleaching method that consumes considerably less energy than conventional methods. They emphasize sustainable mining by minimizing environmental impact through energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. The company invests in renewable energy sources, aiming for carbon neutrality. It actively engages in responsible sourcing and supports circular economy practices by recycling materials and reducing waste. Transparency in reporting sustainability metrics enhances stakeholder trust. Furthermore, by reducing the carbon footprint of transport with sustainably produced battery chemicals. The company’s vision is to be one of the most cost-effective and sustainable producers of battery chemicals in the industry.
A key competitive edge in showing their sustainability comes from the traceability of key production raw materials – minerals. Terrafame’s entire production process from the mine to the battery chemicals plant is located on a single industrial site. All primary raw materials used in production are therefore quarried from own
AS THE ONLY MAJOR MANUFACTURER OF BATTERY CHEMICALS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION, TERRAFAME CAN OFFER ITS CUSTOMERS A SMALL CARBON FOOTPRINT AND A TRANSPARENT SUPPLY CHAIN.
THE BIOLEACHING-BASED METALS EXTRACTION PROCESS,
WHICH CONSUMES 90 PERCENT LESS ENERGY THAN ALTERNATIVE METHODS, IS ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT COMPETITIVE FACTOR.
open pit mine, which ensures the complete traceability of mineral raw materials.
The bioleaching-based metals extraction process, which consumes 90 per cent less energy than alternative methods, is another significant competitive factor. As a result of the energy-efficient process, Terrafame’s battery chemicals have a 60 per cent smaller carbon footprint than the industry average (Sphera Solutions GmbH, 2020). The ore does not need to be crushed nor grinded as fine as in the traditional process, and high temperature metallurgical processes are not used in further processing. After bioleaching, we separate precious metals from the liquid solution back into sol-
id form at the metal’s extraction plant. We precipitate the metals gradually into zinc, copper, nickel and cobalt sulphides, and we further process the nickel and cobalt sulphides into nickel and cobalt sulphates. Ammonium sulphate is generated as a by-product of the battery chemicals plant.
The small carbon footprint is also attributable to the fact that our entire production chain, from the mine to the battery chemicals plant, is found on the same industrial site. The company seeks to further reduce its carbon footprint and has set itself the ambitious goal of being carbon neutral in terms of GHG emissions from its production (Scopes 1–2) by 2039.
High-Quality Mining Services & Infrastructure Construction
E. Hartikainen is a Finnish family-owned company focused on providing comprehensive services to mining clients. In 2025, we celebrate our 60th anniversary, making us the most experienced open-pit mining contractor in Finland. Our goal has always been to build and develop long-term partnerships.
Our collaboration at the Terrafame mine site has continued throughout the entire lifecycle of the mine and has grown in stages. Today, approximately 300 of our employees work on the mine site in production operations, mining infrastructure, and at our on-site maintenance workshop.
At the Terrafame site, E. Hartikainen is responsible for open-pit production drilling as well as loading and hauling of waste rock. Our operations at the Terrafame mine run 24/7 in close cooperation with the mining company, with a shared focus on continuously improving safety and productivity.
E. HARTIKAINEN AS A COMPANY
Established: 1965
Headquarters: Joensuu, Finland
Ownership:
Fully owned by the Hartikainen family
E. HARTIKAINEN – IN NUMBERS
Employees: over 500 Fleet: 300 machine units
• Mining services
• Mining infrastructure SPECIAL KNOW-HOW
• Rock drilling and blasting
• Selective mining
• Excavate, load and haul
• Topsoil and overburden removal
Operations: In-house maintenance operations, central workshop located in Joensuu SERVICES FOR MINING CUSTOMERS
• Crushing services
• Surveying services
• Environmental protection construction in mining
Annual production: Over 50 million tonnes open-pit mines across Finland
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RESOURCES
To support its business growth and environmental goals, Terrafame has invested in modern infrastructure, including upgraded processing facilities, energy-efficient equipment, and expanded logistics networks. These enhancements boost productivity, reduce emissions, and ensure reliability in supply chains.
Terrafame Ltd. runs as a forward-looking, sustainable producer of critical metals and battery chemicals. Seppo Voutilainen embodies a rare blend of operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and strategic foresight. His leadership is accelerating Terrafame’s transformation from a Finnish mine into a European hub for sustainable battery chemistry, ready to meet the demands of a decarbonizing world. As the EV revolution unfolds and geopolitical supply chains tighten, Voutilainen and Terrafame are positioned to remain pivotal players shaping Europe’s clean energy future.
