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Metals for generations to come
As one of Europe's leading metal producers, we offer a broad product portfolio that meets a large number of societal needs.
From ore to finished metal
Boliden is one of the world’s leading zinc producers and is the leader in Europe when it comes to the production of copper and nickel. Globally, we are also a leading player in the recycling of electronics. We also mine, recycle and process precious metals such as gold and silver and sell other products that have been added along the way. Our value chain begins with exploration for new mineral deposits and extends all the way to the production of finished metal and recycling. We are constantly identifying valuable synergies and experiences that benefit our mines and smelters. Close control over the entire value chain, from ore to secondary materials to finished metal, is also fundamental to achieving more sustainable production.
The climate transition requires metals
We produce metals that are essential for the transition to a fossil-free society. In particular base metals such as copper, nickel and zinc, all of which fulfill important functions in the development of new technologies and society’s infrastructure. Electrification and renewable electricity generation require large amounts of copper and nickel.
The base metal zinc is predominantly used to galvanize steel structures, which can protect against corrosion for up to 100 years. Demand for metals is also expected to increase significantly in the coming years, partly due to economic growth globally and partly due to increased electrification.
Green Transition Metals
Our portfolio of recycled, low-carbon metals includes some of the most sustainable options on the global market.
Read more
Copper
Copper is known for its excellent ability to conduct electricity and heat, which has made the metal a vital raw material in the development of both modern technology and new communities. It is also crucial for increased electrification. Boliden sells both copper cathodes to customers and copper anodes for further refining from our smelters at Rönnskär and Harjavalta. The raw material comes partly from recycling and concentrate, in addition to our mines Aitik, Bolidenområdet, Garpenberg and Kevitsa.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential metal for sustainable social development. Boliden mines zinc from its mines in Sweden, and it is processed at two of our smelters, Odda in Norway and Kokkola in Finland. Zinc is predominantly used to galvanize steel. A thin layer of zinc extends the life of steel structures by protecting them from corrosion for up to 100 years. Industries such as construction and infrastructure are among the largest consumers of zinc. The automotive and electronics industries are also important end users. Zinc is a versatile metal that has a number of lesser-known, but vital, applications.
Nickel
Demand for nickel is growing strongly because it is one of the key input goods for products used for the energy transition. Nickel has the highest growth rate of all base metals, and has unique physical and chemical properties. It is resistant to corrosion and oxidation and can withstand high temperatures. It also has an excellent ability to conduct and store electricity. It is used primarily in alloys with other metals that are then used to produce stainless steel and high nickel alloys. Nickel is increasingly being used in rechargeable EV batteries, with the aim of extending the range between charges. At Boliden's Harjavalta smelter, we produce nickel matte from nickel concentrate, among others from our Kevitsa mine in northern Finland.
Lead
Lead is a soft and ductile metal with high electrical conductivity. This makes it extremely important for the automotive industry and the production of car batteries. Boliden has a leading position in Europe in lead recycling. At the Boliden Bergsöe smelter, we recycle approximately four million car batteries each year. Around 70 percent of the recycled lead is sold back to the automotive industry to be used in new batteries. Another important property of lead is its ability to shield against ionizing radiation and X-rays. This has made medical device manufacturers another important end customer.
Gold
Gold was the starting point of today's Boliden, and it is the metal we have produced for the longest period of time. Gold production is still important,and a large portion of it is produced from recycled electronics. We produce pure gold in the form of bars or granules at our Rönnskär and Harjavalta smelters. The majority of our gold is then sold to banks, but the industrial sector is also an important end customer for this precious metal.
Silver
Silver is a precious and malleable metal that has a high resistance to temperature changes. It is also the metal that conducts heat and electricity best, and it is therefore used for such things as electrical contacts, high-capacity batteries, and electronic circuit boards in phones and computers. Silver is used in solar cells, on aircraft and satellites and for plating other materials. About a quarter of the silver processed at Boliden Rönnskär comes from recycling electronic waste. It is also an important bi-metal for our zinc mines.
Concentrates
A large part of the ore we mine is complex ore, which means that it contains several different metals. Ore concentration results in a number of different concentrates, which are then processed at our smelters, producing pure metals. We mainly produce copper, lead, nickel, and zinc concentrates, in which precious metals, platinum and palladium are present in various amounts. Concentrates are sent to smelters for further refining.
Sulphuric acid
Sulphuric acid is one of the most widely used chemicals in the world. It is used in the production of fertilizers, pulp and paper, as well as in processes in the mining and chemical industries. We are one of the leading producers of high-quality sulphuric acid in the smelting industry, and thanks to our excellent capacity we can guarantee exceptional delivery reliability.
By-products
Thanks to further processing and advanced technologies, we are able to get the most out of the raw materials that enter our processes. This has enabled us to produce a range of new by-products alongside our main products. These, in turn, fulfill important societal functions. A circular approach allows us to reduce waste from our metal production while meeting other societal needs.
Our statement on our product CO2 footprint
The mining industry lacks a standardized measurement method for carbon dioxide emissions - we want to change that. We believe transparency is the only way to a sustainable and long-term mining and metals industry. We make the life-cycle assessments of our main metals from cradle to gate, without counting carbon credits and offsets. It improves our possibilities to see in which scope we need to make efforts to reduce our carbon dioxide footprint. In this way, we will achieve our vision of being the world's most climate-friendly and respected metal supplier in the world.