Timeline

Prospected for phosphate, iron and niobium

• 1967: Mining company Otanmäki discovers an ore deposit

• 1968: Processing tests begin

• 1978–1980: Pilot-scale processing plant

Prospected for phosphate and niobium

• 1986: Mining rights to Kemira

• 1986–1988: Phosphate surveys

• 1990–2006: Niobium surveys

Prospected for phosphate and iron

• 2007: Mining rights to Yara

• 2009: Environmental impact assessment is completed

• 2013: Environmental and water management permit process initiates

• 2013: Expansion of the mining concession begins

• 2007–2019: Phosphate surveys and profitability assessments

Examination of the entire area’s potential

• 2020: Mining rights to Sokli

• 2021: Profitability assessments begin

• 2022: Sokli area environmental surveys continued and area safety improved

• 2022: A preliminary feasibility study is completed: according to the results, in addition to phosphate and iron, Sokli could produce significant amounts of rare earth metals, manganese, vermiculite, niobium and copper.

Two minerals are discovered in Sokli for the first time in Finland. The new minerals, kukharenkoite and cordylite, contain rare earth elements.