Pyhäsalmi, our operation in Finland, produces pyrite as a byproduct of copper and zinc concentrate.

How it’s mined and produced

Pyrite is an iron disulphide and is quarried extensively to produce sulphuric acid. The pyrite is roasted with excess oxygen to produce sulphur trioxide that forms sulphuric acid when combined with water.

The pyrite we produce has high sulphur content (about 52.5%) and very few impurities.

How it’s used

Pyrite is used in a variety of ways. The sulphuric acid produced using our pyrite has a high purity level, allowing it to be used in the production of food containers and chemicals for treating water and paper. In addition, iron oxide, the residue from the pyrite, can be used as raw material in the cement and construction industries.

Supply vs. demand

Pyrites is primarily used in the production of sulphuric acid and our Pyhäsalmi mine is Europe’s leading producer/supplier of high purity and clean pyrite concentrates.

Global pyrite production is estimated to be 6.7Mt in sulphur equivalent in 2009, over 85 percent being produced and consumed in China

Pyrites competes directly with sulphur and the by-product sulphuric acid in the market and any fluctuation in the availability of these products have a direct impact on the supply and demand of pyrites.

Residue of roasted pyrite has also commercial value. Iron cinder which is produced as residue as a result of pyrite roasting is extensively used in cement industry and road construction. Further, iron cinder can also be used in steel mills as an iron source.
There is sufficient production capacity of pyrites in the world to fulfill demand well above current levels in the foreseeable future.

Our pyrite business

We sell pyrites under long-term contracts to mainly sulphuric acid producers in continental Europe and we have sufficient additional capacity to fulfill new demand.