Aurubis secures copper feedstock from Sweden
Aurubis AG, a global supplier of non-ferrous metals, and the Swedish mining company Viscaria have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding regarding a long-term contract for the supply of copper concentrate.
The off-take agreement is set to cover approximately 50 per cent of Viscaria’s planned copper concentrate production from 2028 onwards for an initial period of eight years and includes an option to extend. Should annual production increase during the term of the agreement, there is the possibility of adjusting the contractually agreed quantity. With its unique smelting network, Aurubis is a reliable, long-term partner that continuously invests in improving its multi-metal production.
The mine is expected to produce more than 25,000 tonnes of copper concentrate annually. According to Aurubis, the proximity between the mine’s production site in Kiruna in northern Sweden and Aurubis’s plants enables a very low carbon footprint thanks to short logistics routes. Viscaria and Aurubis share the same values with regard to responsible copper production. In all its current and future activities, Aurubis aims to remain a leader in sustainability and to continuously create more value whilst reducing its environmental footprint.
According to its own statements, Aurubis has had the majority of its sites audited by the internationally recognised certification scheme The Copper Mark, thereby demonstrating that the company’s requirements for responsible copper sourcing and production are met across the entire group. Viscaria’s strong focus on ESG also provides an ideal foundation for implementing internationally recognised standards for responsible production once the mining project is fully operational.
Securing strategic metals in close proximity to European industry
According to the metals company, industry experts anticipate that demand for strategic industrial metals such as copper – which are used in forward-looking applications such as data centres and AI centres, electrification, infrastructure projects and security, is expected to rise sharply by 22 per cent in the coming years and even double by 2050.
Under the European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), the European Commission strongly supports more local mining projects to strengthen the resilience of the local supply chain and reduce dependence on third countries. The planned agreement between Aurubis and Viscaria is an important step towards securing the supply chain for critical raw materials.
Mining project with a strong focus on sustainability standards
Viscaria operates in Sweden, one of the world’s leading mining regions, and holds a comprehensive long-term environmental permit. The company aims to be among the top 5 per cent of copper mines worldwide with the lowest CO₂ emissions. The company has recently secured 45 megawatts of CO₂-neutral electricity, enabling a fully electrified mining operation with minimal impact on the climate. Technical solutions include electric vehicles and optimised transport systems.
Furthermore, Viscaria has commissioned one of Sweden’s most advanced water treatment plants for the mine. The water treatment plant sets a completely new standard that exceeds both Swedish and international environmental requirements. At the same time, the project places a strong emphasis on promoting biodiversity and responsible restoration during and after mining.
Reopening of the mine in Kiruna, Sweden
The Viscaria project involves the reopening of the mine in Kiruna, Sweden. The facility is to be operated as an underground mine. The high-grade copper deposits, the estimated mineral resources and the geographical location offer ideal conditions for becoming a key supplier of high-quality and responsibly produced copper. The Viscaria project is estimated to contain a total of almost 1,000,000 tonnes of copper.
Source: Aurubis