Sweden-based Eurobattery Minerals said Monday its Hautalampi nickel-cobalt-copper project in Finland has achieved the highest United Nations’ classification for viable mining projects, Kallanish reports.

“Achieving the highest UN classification is a very significant proof of the potential of our Hautalampi project to supply the European market with responsibly mined battery minerals,” comments ceo Roberto Garcia Martinez.

Eurobattery Minerals owns a 40% interest in FinnCobalt Oy and the Hautakampi project and is adding another 30%. The deal to grow the stake to 70% is expected to close this quarter.

The UN Framework Classifications for Resources is an international scheme for the classification, management and reporting of energy, mineral and raw material resources. The UNFC classification complies with standards set last March by the European Commission. The initial review was conducted by the Geological Survey of Finland. Dr Hannu Makkonen of Suomen Maimitutkimus Oy prepared the latest documents on ore reserves and mineral resource classifications.

The company completed an update to the project’s environmental impact assessment in March 2022, providing detailed information on groundwater, bedrock subsidence, blasting vibrations, discharge water quality and impacts on the receiving streams. The report also looks at two different options for the tailings storage facility.

FinnCobalt has informed Eurobattery Minerals that it intends to immediately proceed with the environmental permit application, advancing a process started in December 2020. According to local regulations, a public hearing must be held, and a final decision rendered within four months of the EIA being officially filed.

The project is near Outokumpu, Finland, about 345 kilometres from Helsinki. It includes the old Keretti mine that operated from 1912 to 1989. The main project area covers 227 hectares. Eurobattery acquired its initial stake in the project in spring 2020. A preliminary feasibility study was completed last March.