Boliden Delays Odda Ramp Up


Ramp-up at Odda will now begin in Q1 2025. (Photo: Boliden)
During the past three years, Boliden has carried out a series of investments at the Odda zinc smelter with the aim of increasing the annual production volume from 200,000 to 350,000 metric tons (mt). The company recently reported that several of these investments are now largely completed, but they have experienced delays with the roasting facility. This means that the ramp-up toward the new production level will start at the end of Q1 2025. The delay has also created a cost overrun of EUR100 million ($111 million).

In addition to a new roasting facility, the investments included enhanced electrical and port infrastructure, a new sulphuric acid plant, expansion and modernization of the leaching and purification plant, a new tankhouse and expansion of the foundry.

The start of the ramp-up, originally planned for Q4 2024, will instead start at the end of Q1 2025 and full production is estimated to be achieved successively during 2025. Completed facilities will be able to be commissioned, which means that Odda’s production capacity will return to 200,000 mt from Q1 2025.

The Odda investments are eventually estimated to generate EUR150 million ($167 million) in annual EBITDA.

As featured in Womp 2024 Vol 10 - www.womp-int.com