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Suitable for sub-arctic climate "During the last three years, we have demonstrated the viability of using bioheapleaching technology for the extraction of nickel in large on-site pilot trials using the Talvivaara ore. The trials have shown that the leaching process is heat generating and therefore suitable for the sub-arctic climatic conditions prevalent in eastern Finland," Riekkola-Vanhanen notes. She says that the leaching reaction generates enough heat to keep the heap temperature at +40 degrees Centigrade even in the wintertime. "Talvivaara is the first mine in the world to use bioheapleaching in the extraction of nickel. I have been closely involved in laboratory and pilot testing of this technology and am very pleased to see that it works properly," says Riekkola-Vanhanen. The researcher has an impressive track record in biohydrometallurgy. Bioheapleaching technology was originally developed under Riekkola-Vanhanen's leadership at the Outokumpu research centre, where she worked prior to joining the Talvivaara Mining Company. Reducing the environmental burden Large amounts of sulphur dioxide are generated when metals are produced using conventional smelting technology. Sulphur dioxide is a highly polluting substance that is very harmful to trees. According to Riekkola-Vanhanen, the bioheapleaching method generates no sulphur dioxide emissions and is thus much more environmentally friendly. What's more, bioheapleaching requires considerably less energy than smelting, which makes it a more energy efficient production method that reduces the environmental burden of metal production. "The bacteria do the work without pay and without consuming any energy," Riekkola-Vanhanen remarks. The Talvivaara mine is committed to environmentally responsible conduct in all its operations, and the state of the natural environment has been monitored since 2004. Precautions have been taken to prevent leakages from the bottom of the heaps. FOCUS 23
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