Betolar and Norge Mineraler AS have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on creating sustainable mining solutions, the companies say.
The goal of the cooperation is to support the green transition in Norge Mineraler’s operation, with the memorandum of understanding serving as a starting point for potential broader collaboration between the parties.
The parties intend to explore and assess the possibilities of Norge Mineraler using Betolar’s sustainable mining solutions, know-how, technologies and innovations in Norge Mineraler’s operations.
Norge Mineraler together with Betolar will aim to conduct better tailings management processes, by also exploring the potential for using a large part of the tailings in production of geopolymer-based concrete or similar.
Norge Mineraler is Norge Mining’s Norwegian subsidiary in charge of its mineral exploration work in Norway. A JORC resource estimate on the Norge Mineraler’s Bjerkreim exploration project in southwest Norway have confirmed world-class deposits of phosphate, vanadium and titanium, materials with key roles in the clean energy transition, security of food supply and other areas. The provenance of these materials is also of significant strategic importance for net carbon zero and ESG commitments, a key requirement for which is supply chain transparency.
Pasi Karekivi, Betolar’s Business Development Director for Mining & Metals, said: “We are very happy about this partnership with Norge Mineraler AS. The company’s decision emphasises sustainability and the desire to develop processes in such a way that environmental safety is at the center of operations.”
Olav Skalmeraas, CEO at Norge Mineraler AS, added: “Norge Mineraler has a clear vision to operate the most environmentally friendly and sustainable mine for the critical raw materials vanadium, phosphate and titanium. The cooperation with Betolar is a natural step towards that vision.”
Betolar is developing several solutions for the mining and metals industries enabling them to implement more sustainable solutions, reduce waste and lower their carbon emissions, it says. The company has protected its solutions by applying for several patents related to sidestream and metals recovery.
The partnership between Norge Mineraler AS and Betolar is aiming at finding solutions to minimise carbon emissions in Norge Mineraler’s mining operations. The collaboration could also cover investigations on how to reduce waste with applicable solutions at Norge Mineraler’s mine sites, including finding profitable solutions to side product management. Betolar’s solutions to the recovery of valuable fractions as well as potential in-process carbon dioxide recovery and permanent carbon dioxide capture are part of the potential future cooperation. The aim for both parties is also to find sustainable solutions to commercialise their mine tailings as geopolymer-based concrete.
Tuija Kalpala, CEO of Betolar, said: “Providing sustainable and low carbon emission solutions to mining and metals industries is a strategic focus for Betolar. We are excited to enter this cooperation with one of Norway’s most significant critical minerals project under development in Eigersund and assist Norge Mineraler achieving their ambitious sustainability goals.”