In the Outokumpu mine in Kemi there is more ore than predicted earlier, the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE tells. According to the Geological Survey of Finland´s report there is chrome ore findings as deep as 2-3 km and even down to 4 km depth. The report says that there are chrome findings deeper than earlier estimated.

Earlier it was believed that the mine had ore and mineral reserves for 70-80 years. According to the new information there are findings for mining for even up to several hundreds of years, even after the planned doubled production. The Outokumpu ferrochrome plant in Torneå gets its raw material from the mine in Kemi.

According to YLE the Outokumpu managing director Juha Rantanen tells that Outokumpu has the readiness and plans to expand the mine and double the ferrochrome production. According to Rantanen the investment decisions will be considered based on the economical situation, electricity markets and energy questions. The ferrochrome production process requires a lot of energy.

To be able to ensure the supply of inexpensive electricity to a stable price Outokumpu is a shareholder in Fennovoima, Rantanen says.

The mine in Kemi is the only chrome mine in the EU area. The finding was found in 1959 and the production started in 1968.

>> Outokumpu is the second biggest shareholder of Fennovoima. The shareholders in Fennovoima has a low degree of self-sufficiency in their electricity acquisition.