Zero Waste Mining and Critical Minerals Campaign
Competitiveness from sustainable mining
The Zero Waste Mining and Critical Minerals Campaign program offers your company support to renew itself, accelerate your growth and help you develop your operations more sustainably. We bring together industrial companies and research institutions so that together we can develop new solutions and opportunities for the future.
The program aims to strengthen Finland's position as a pioneer in sustainable mining and mineral technology. We offer support at all stages of the value chain - from mine planning to industrial recycling.
Competitiveness from sustainable mining
The Zero Waste Mining and Critical Minerals Campaign program offers your company support to renew itself, accelerate your growth and help you develop your operations more sustainably. We bring together industrial companies and research institutions so that together we can develop new solutions and opportunities for the future.
The program aims to strengthen Finland's position as a pioneer in sustainable mining and mineral technology. We offer support at all stages of the value chain - from mine planning to industrial recycling.
Target groups of the program
The program is aimed at companies and other organisations, including research organisations, in the sustainable mining and minerals sector:
- Mining and raw material exploration companies, mine planning and processing companies
- Providers of mining and processing technology and solutions
- Steel producers and other metal producers
- Metal recyclers
- Technology providers and manufacturers in various industries
- Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence and Data Utilization: Companies Providing Solutions for the Mining and Minerals Sector
- Companies providing services in the mining and mineral sector, especially those focusing on recycling and circular economy services
The program is aimed at Finnish companies whose international business capabilities are being significantly renewed.
Program services
The Zero Waste Mining and Critical Minerals Campaign program offers a variety of services to support the program's goals for the actors involved. Some of the program's services are only aimed at companies that meet Business Finland's customer relationship criteria.
How to join the program
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Interest is key
The Zero Waste Mining and Critical Minerals Campaign aims to create sustainable solutions to the challenges of the mining and minerals sector. Therefore, it is important that the participants of the program are interested and motivated to participate and achieve common goals.
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Read more about the program
Read more about the program's objectives, services and how you can use it to develop your business. Some of the program's services are open to everyone, and some are intended for companies that meet Business Finland's customer relationship criteria.
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Subscribe to our newsletter or contact us
By subscribing to the program's newsletter, you will receive information about the program's services and current events. If necessary, our experts will help you assess the suitability of the program for your company and guide you on further steps.
Subscribe to the program's newsletter!
Frequently Asked Questions
Programs
Are there any criteria for joining the program?
Are you excited to be involved in creating solutions for sustainable mining and mineral processing? Welcome to the Zero Waste Mining and Critical Minerals Campaign! There are no criteria for joining the program, but companies and organisations that have a clear vision and goals for the development of the mining and minerals sector will benefit the most. The program encourages active cooperation and networking with other actors in the field.
More information about the theme of the program
With the green transition and digitalisation, the demand for critical minerals will increase globally – up to six times by 2040, according to forecasts by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Improving security of supply is necessary because Finland and other European countries are dependent on foreign minerals.
The depletion of high-quality ore deposits highlights the need to develop circular economy solutions and new technologies to utilise side streams and waste streams to secure the availability of minerals. The mining industry is also responsible for a large amount of waste every year. In 2022, mining waste accounted for 76.5% of the total waste produced in Finland (Statistics Finland). New technologies are needed to minimise the amount of waste.
Why was the theme chosen?
Finland is a significant supplier of critical raw materials in the EU. With the help of RDI activities, we can increase the added value of raw materials, strengthen the industry's competitiveness in international markets and attract investments.
The Zero Waste Mining and Critical Minerals Campaign program helps the mining and minerals sector to renew its offering and cooperation networks. The aim is to increase the market share of Finnish companies and support them in developing solutions required by the green transition. The program responds to market demand for minerals and implements the measures set out in the National Minerals Strategy.
The program supports Finnish actors in creating connections within the EU and in selected countries outside the EU. It also encourages businesses and research institutes to take advantage of EU funding.
Background to the program at EU level
The EU aims to reduce the supply risk of critical minerals through the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) legislation (5/2024). The aim is to increase the production, processing and recycling of minerals in Europe. Member States must promote the recovery of minerals from mining waste, and by 2030 at least 25% of strategic raw materials should come from recycled materials. According to OECD forecasts, recycled materials could account for 50% of total material use in 2034 (Global Material Resources Outlook to 2060).
The European partnership on raw materials for the green and digital transition is part of the Horizon Europe program and is in line with CRMA. Business Finland acts as a national financier and one of the implementers of the National Minerals Strategy, which aims to increase the security of supply of strategic and critical minerals.
Business Finland's goal for the program
The main objective of the program is to reform the Finnish mining and minerals sector. This will be achieved through a circular economy and zero-waste solutions that enable a sustainable supply of critical minerals and other raw materials.
The Zero Waste Mining and Critical Minerals Campaign program supports Business Finland's goal of the circular economy and zero waste mission. The goal is to secure the availability of raw materials and the sustainable growth of the economy with the help of circular economy models and solutions.
Other objectives:
- RDI investments in sustainable circular economy solutions and waste minimisation in the mining and minerals sector will increase, and exports of EUR 2 billion will be achieved by 2034
- Finnish companies strengthen their position in projects and RDI partnerships in the EU and selected countries outside Europe, focusing on circular economy solutions and waste minimisation
- Viable solutions and models enabled by digitalisation and data create more value for waste and side streams
- Increasing security of supply
Roadmap
2025 – Launch and campaigning
Launch, financial advice, networking and international activation
2026 – Option year
As the increased interest and the growth of the field have strengthened, a possible follow-up year in campaigning and R&D funding.
2035 – Target state
Finnish companies are known for their sustainable technologies, and the circular economy is playing a significant role in the availability of raw materials. The Finnish mining industry has progressed towards minimising waste, and there is international demand for Finnish technology and expertise.