Zero Mine Moves Forward: Technical Design in Final Stages and Permitting Processes Underway

During the year of 2026, the Zero Mine project has progressed to the final stages of design and key permitting processes. The project is moving step by step toward implementation, and work continues simultaneously on both the technical aspects and the permitting process. Environmental and chemical permits essential to the plant’s operations are expected to be obtained during the summer and fall of 2027.

The first half of the year has been dedicated primarily to finalizing the process design and refining the plant concept. Technical design is currently well underway, and the overall plan is being finalized for implementation. At the same time, progress has been made on safety and risk management work critical to the project, and preparations have been made for key aspects of implementation and procurement.

– The most significant technical challenges have involved ensuring the operation of individual equipment units under challenging process conditions. Solutions to these challenges have been found, and the entire recovery process is technically feasible, says Risto Ryymin, CEO of Zero Mine.

In parallel with the design work, the project has progressed to the permitting phase. Key tasks include finalizing the environmental impact assessment and submitting it to the coordinating authority, as well as applying for environmental and chemical permits. Permitting is an essential part of the project’s progress, as it ensures that the solutions meet all environmental, safety, and operational requirements before proceeding to the next stages.

– For both permits, the permitting process takes at least 11 months once the conditions for granting the permit are met, Ryymin notes.

Zero Mine focuses on recovering critical raw materials from electronic waste. More broadly, this initiative addresses material availability, European and Finnish self-sufficiency, and the promotion of the circular economy and the clean transition. The goal is to develop solutions that enable valuable metals to be reused more efficiently from existing materials. In the next phase, the project will proceed with the permitting processes and finalizing the design. Alongside these steps, the groundwork will be laid for an investment decision and for the project to move toward implementation.

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