Yara to expand Siilinjarvi phosphate rock mine

Helsinki-Yara International ASA said Feb. 14 that it plans to expand Siilinjarvi phosphate rock production. At phase one, capacity will be increased by 150,000 mt of rock per year, to 1 million mt/y. To do so, Yara will modify existing grinding and flotation equipment. The expansion is expected to be operational during the second half of 2009, with the second phase planned for 2010-11. The potential increase is planned to be 300,000 mt. If phase two is carried out, it will mean investment for new crushing, grinding, and flotation equipment. Yara also announced that a feasibility study for Solki, a separate project from Siilinjarvi, has been started. Yara is interested in opening a mine in Sokli in Finnish Lapland if a commercially sustainable means of implementation can be found.