Rejlers is responsible for basic and detail engineering of effluent treatment plant at the Sibanye-Stillwater Keliber lithium refinery
Rejlers has signed an agreement with Sibanye-Stillwater’s Keliber lithium project. The agreement includes basic and detail engineering services for the effluent treatment plant of the Keliber lithium refinery. This large-scale investment aims to develop a sustainable operation to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide.
The Keliber lithium refinery will be built in Kokkola in Central Ostrobothnia with the aim of being the first European producer of battery-grade lithium hydroxide from its own mined ore reserves. Lithium is an essential part of storing electrical energy, including batteries for electric vehicle.
The total investment in the Keliber lithium project is estimated to be EUR 656 million. Construction of the refinery began in March 2023 and the ramp-up of production is scheduled to start in 2025.
Keliber’s lithium hydroxide production is based on soda leaching technology, which benefits from material and energy efficiency. Energy sources will be steam, natural gas and electricity, which contributes to Keliber’s relatively low CO2 emissions in comparison with current lithium hydroxide production chains. Rejlers has decades of experience in implementing demanding water treatment plants.
"The investment represents new technologies and helps reduce the use of fossil fuels. I am confident that our expertise in sustainable and innovative technological solutions will help Sibanye-Stillwater in its aim to develop responsible energy solutions," says Jouni Honkala, Vice President, Mining and Metal Industry at Rejlers Finland.
For further information, please contact:
Mikko Vaahersalo, CEO, Rejlers Finland, + 358 (0) 44 425 3143, mikko.vaahersalo@rejlers.fi
Malin Sparf Rydberg, Director of Communications, +46 (0)70 477 17 00, malin.rydberg@rejlers.se
About Sibanye-Stillwater
Sibanye-Stillwater is a multinational mining and metals processing group with a diverse portfolio of operations, projects and investments across five continents. The Group is also one of the foremost global recyclers of PGM autocatalysts and has interests in leading mine tailings retreatment operations.
Sibanye-Stillwater has established itself as one of the world’s largest primary producers of platinum, palladium, and rhodium and is a top tier gold producer. It also produces and refines iridium and ruthenium, nickel, chrome, copper and cobalt. The Group has recently begun to diversify its asset portfolio into battery metals mining and processing and increase its presence in the circular economy by growing its recycling and tailings reprocessing exposure globally. For more information refer to www.sibanyestillwater.com.
About Sibanye-Stillwater’s Keliber lithium project
Keliber is an advanced lithium project, located in Kaustinen and Kokkola, Finland. The project aims to be the first European producer of battery-grade lithium hydroxide from its own mined ore reserves, thus contributing towards the green transition by facilitating the electrification of transportation. The Keliber lithium project is being developed by Sibanye-Stillwater (~80%), a multinational mining and metals processing Group, with Finnish Minerals Group (20%), a state-owned company developing the value chain of lithium-ion batteries in Finland. For more information on the project, refer to www.sibanyestillwater.com/business/europe/keliber/.
About Rejlers
Rejlers is one of the leading engineering consultancy firms in the Nordic region. With cutting-edge expertise, we help companies, public authorities and other organisations meet tomorrow's societal challenges. Our services are important building blocks for achieving a sustainable society. Founded in 1942, Rejlers success is built on the ability to constantly embrace new knowledge. Our vision "Home of the learning minds" guides us to continuous learning, development and growth. With operations in Sweden, Finland, Norway and the United Arab Emirates, Rejlers has around 3300 experts in technology areas such as energy, industry, infrastructure and real estate. In 2022, the company had a turnover of 3.5 billion SEK and its class B share is listed on Mid Cap, Nasdaq Stockholm. www.rejlers.com
