Sibanye-Stillwater has relocated a tailings dam at its Keliber lithium mine in Finland after discovering droppings from an endangered flying squirrel. The adjustment creates a 100m buffer to protect the nocturnal species. This reflects Finland's strict conservation rules amid Europe's first lithium project.
Droppings from a flying squirrel prompted Sibanye-Stillwater to reconfigure plans for its Keliber lithium project in Finland, Europe's first lithium mine. No squirrels have been sighted, but the evidence required changes under Finland's conservation codes.
"No one has actually seen the animals there, but the droppings show their presence. So we have to take that into account in the planning," Sibanye chief executive Richard Stewart told Daily Maverick. During a site visit, officials noted the tailings dam was moved about 100m to provide a buffer for the species, which is endangered in Finland and also found in Estonia.
Sibanye has addressed other wildlife, including moor frogs, golden eagles, and otters. New ponds were built for the frogs, artificial nests and winter feeding planned for eagles, and wooden shelves installed under a bridge for otters to avoid road crossings by 65-tonne trucks. No moor frogs or otters have used these features yet, though a bear was sighted near a pond.
The company states that environmental impact assessments indicate low to moderate biodiversity effects from the project. These measures highlight growing scrutiny on mining operations to accommodate endangered species amid demands for green metals like lithium.