Mining Intelligence and News
Finland

Pyhasalmi Mine

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Categories

Summary

Mine TypeTailings
StatusActive
Commodities
  • Copper
  • Zinc
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Pyrite
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
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SnapshotPyhäsalmi is a previously producing copper and zinc, and currently producing pyrite, underground mine located in central Finland. Pyhäsalmi is one of the oldest and deepest underground mines in Europe.

Underground mining at Pyhäsalmi ended in August 2022. The Pyhäsalmi operation in Finland is approaching closure.

Decommissioning of Pyhäsalmi commenced in 2022, and following the closure of the mine, the main activity is the rehabilitation of the surface area. This includes covering and re-vegetating the tailings impoundments.

Starting in 2023, pyrite-rich material is being excavated and transported from a storage pond located about a kilometer away to the concentrator for enrichment. It is estimated that the operation will continue for about three years.

Approximately 0.6 million tonnes of pyrite rich material is estimated to be reclaimed from B pond in 2025 for third party sales.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. 100 % Indirect
Pyhasalmi Mine Oy (operator) 100 % Direct
Pyhasalmi Mine Oy is an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of the First Quantum Minerals Ltd. Pyhasalmi Mine Oy’s main asset is the Pyhäsalmi copper and zinc mine.

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • VMS
  • Tailings

Summary:

The Pyhäsalmi deposit is a copper-zinc volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit of Proterozoic age. The mineralization is hosted by altered felsic and mafic volcanic rocks. The enveloping alteration zone is at least four kilometres long and one kilometre wide at its widest point. Alteration of the felsic volcanic rocks includes sericite and cordierite dominated mineralogy. Cordierite, anthophyllite and garnet dominate in the altered mafic volcanic rocks. The metamorphic grade is upper amphibolite facies.

The upper part of the Pyhäsalmi deposit was mined between 1962 and 2001 and is now depleted. Deep drilling in 1996 by Outokumpu Oy (the previous owner) led to the discovery of an extension to the deposit below the +1050 meter level. The newer deep deposit is located between the +1050 meter level (from surface) and the +1416 meter level. The inner part of the lens consists of massive pyrite with low copper and zinc values. This core is surrounded by massive chalcopyrite-pyrite and the outer rim consists of massive sphalerite-pyrite. The main sulphide minerals are pyrite (65%), chalcopyrite (3%), sphalerite (4%) and pyrrhotite (3%).

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

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Commodity Production

CommodityProductUnits20222021202020192018201720162015
Copper Metal in concentrate t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe8,00311,90413,50114,79512,046
Pyrite Concentrate kt  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe554646692490840
Zinc Metal in concentrate t  ....  Subscribe12,08022,71617,39720,80021,331

Operational metrics

Metrics2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Tonnes milled  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe1,066 kt1,248 kt1,260 kt1,380 kt1,379 kt
Ore tonnes mined  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe1,036 kt1,237 kt1,315 kt1,430 kt1,384 kt

Production Costs

CommodityUnits202220212020201920182017
All-in sustaining costs (AISC) Copper USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 0.55 / lb **   -0.46 / lb **   -0.26 / lb **  
C1 cash costs Copper USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 0.51 / lb **   -0.46 / lb **   -0.26 / lb **  
C3 fully allocated costs Copper USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 1.77 / lb **   1.7 / lb **   2.06 / lb **  
** Net of By-Product.

Mine Financials

Units20242023202220212020201920182017
Capital expenditures M USD 0   0   0  
Revenue M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 90   144   143  
Gross profit M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 24   40   24  
Operating Income M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 26   47   14  
EBITDA M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 45   94   89  

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 29, 2025
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 29, 2025
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 29, 2025

Workforce

Total WorkforceYear
...... Subscription required 2017
...... Subscription required 2016
...... Subscription required 2015

Aerial view:

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