Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic Time
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Talvivaara Mine (Talvivaara Sotkamo Mine), Sotkamo, Kainuu, Finlandi
Regional Level Types
Talvivaara Mine (Talvivaara Sotkamo Mine)Mine
SotkamoMunicipality
KainuuRegion
FinlandCountry

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
63° 58' 0'' North , 28° 4' 6'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
63.96670,28.06860
GRN:
N43E10
Type:
Mine
Köppen climate type:
Dfc : Subarctic climate
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Vuokatti6,183 (2015)22.3km
Sotkamo10,368 (2014)25.1km
Kajaani35,375 (2014)33.3km
Paltaniemi390 (2015)40.4km
Paltamo3,844 (2014)51.3km
Mindat Locality ID:
13133
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:13133:0
GUID (UUID V4):
0
Name(s) in local language(s):
Taattola


Low-grade Ni-Cu-Zn deposit mined since 2008. The ore is hosted by amphibolite-facies black shales of the Talvivaara formation in the Kainuu schist belt. Uranium is also extracted as a byproduct.
One of the largest nickel mines in Finland.

Located 20 km SW from Sotkamo, 27 km SE from Kajaani and about 3 km from the Kuusilampi deposit.

Owned by Talvivaara Mining Company Plc., later (from 2017) renamed to
Ahtium. In 2004 until the mining business was sold to the state-owned Terrafame in 2015.

The mine had suffered several leaks of toxic metal-contaminated tailings, which had threatened local waterways.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Alabandite
Formula: MnS
ⓘ Albite
Formula: Na(AlSi3O8)
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
ⓘ Clinozoisite
Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘ 'Garnet Group'
Formula: X3Z2(SiO4)3
ⓘ Graphite
Formula: C
ⓘ 'Mica Group'
ⓘ Molybdenite
Formula: MoS2
ⓘ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Pentlandite
Formula: (NixFey)Σ9S8
References:
Bornhorst, Theodore J., Rose, William I. (1994) Self-guided geological field trip to the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan. Proceedings, 40 (2). Institute on Lake Superior Geology. 1-185
Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, Kirsti, Heino, Timo (1996) Geochemistry and genesis of the black shale-hosted Ni-Cu-Zn deposit at Talvivaara, Finland. Economic Geology, 91 (1) 80-110 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.91.1.80
Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, Kirsti, Sorjonen-Ward, Peter - Eds. (1997) Research and exploration - where do they meet? 4th Biennial SGA Meeting, August 11-13, 1997, Turku, Finland. Excursion guidebook A4: Ore Deposit in Eastern Finland. Geological Survey of Finland Guide (Geologian Tutkimuskeskus Opas) 42
www.gsf.fi (2002) http://www.gsf.fi/explor/zinc/kolmisoppi.htm
Lips, ALW (2006) A review of non-ferrous mineral deposits in Europe - Finalised initial database BRGM/RP -54957 - FR
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
References:
Bornhorst, Theodore J., Rose, William I. (1994) Self-guided geological field trip to the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan. Proceedings, 40 (2). Institute on Lake Superior Geology. 1-185
Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, Kirsti, Heino, Timo (1996) Geochemistry and genesis of the black shale-hosted Ni-Cu-Zn deposit at Talvivaara, Finland. Economic Geology, 91 (1) 80-110 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.91.1.80
Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, Kirsti, Sorjonen-Ward, Peter - Eds. (1997) Research and exploration - where do they meet? 4th Biennial SGA Meeting, August 11-13, 1997, Turku, Finland. Excursion guidebook A4: Ore Deposit in Eastern Finland. Geological Survey of Finland Guide (Geologian Tutkimuskeskus Opas) 42
www.gsf.fi (2002) http://www.gsf.fi/explor/zinc/kolmisoppi.htm
Lips, ALW (2006) A review of non-ferrous mineral deposits in Europe - Finalised initial database BRGM/RP -54957 - FR
ⓘ Pyrrhotite
Formula: Fe1-xS
References:
Bornhorst, Theodore J., Rose, William I. (1994) Self-guided geological field trip to the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan. Proceedings, 40 (2). Institute on Lake Superior Geology. 1-185
Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, Kirsti, Heino, Timo (1996) Geochemistry and genesis of the black shale-hosted Ni-Cu-Zn deposit at Talvivaara, Finland. Economic Geology, 91 (1) 80-110 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.91.1.80
Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, Kirsti, Sorjonen-Ward, Peter - Eds. (1997) Research and exploration - where do they meet? 4th Biennial SGA Meeting, August 11-13, 1997, Turku, Finland. Excursion guidebook A4: Ore Deposit in Eastern Finland. Geological Survey of Finland Guide (Geologian Tutkimuskeskus Opas) 42
www.gsf.fi (2002) http://www.gsf.fi/explor/zinc/kolmisoppi.htm
Lips, ALW (2006) A review of non-ferrous mineral deposits in Europe - Finalised initial database BRGM/RP -54957 - FR
ⓘ Quartz
Formula: SiO2
ⓘ Sphalerite
Formula: ZnS
ⓘ Stannite
Formula: Cu2FeSnS4
ⓘ Talc
Formula: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
ⓘ Tremolite
Formula: ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
ⓘ Ullmannite
Formula: NiSbS
ⓘ Uraninite
Formula: UO2
ⓘ Violarite
Formula: Fe2+Ni3+2S4
ⓘ Zoisite
Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘ Zoisite var. Thulite
Formula: {Ca2}{Al,Mn3+3}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH)

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘGraphite1.CB.05aC
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘPentlandite2.BB.15(NixFey)Σ9S8
ⓘSphalerite2.CB.05aZnS
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
ⓘStannite2.CB.15aCu2FeSnS4
ⓘPyrrhotite2.CC.10Fe1-xS
ⓘAlabandite2.CD.10MnS
ⓘViolarite2.DA.05Fe2+Ni3+2S4
ⓘMolybdenite2.EA.30MoS2
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
ⓘUllmannite2.EB.25NiSbS
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘQuartz4.DA.05SiO2
ⓘUraninite4.DL.05UO2
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘClinozoisite9.BG.05a(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘZoisite
var. Thulite		9.BG.10{Ca2}{Al,Mn3+3}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH)
ⓘ9.BG.10(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
ⓘTremolite9.DE.10◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
ⓘTalc9.EC.05Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
ⓘMuscovite9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘAlbite9.FA.35Na(AlSi3O8)
Unclassified
ⓘ'Mica Group'-
ⓘ'Garnet Group'-X3Z2(SiO4)3

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ Clinozoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Hⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
Hⓘ Zoisite var. Thulite{Ca2}{Al,Mn33+}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH)
Hⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Hⓘ Zoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
CCarbon
Cⓘ GraphiteC
OOxygen
Oⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Oⓘ Clinozoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Oⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ QuartzSiO2
Oⓘ TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
Oⓘ Zoisite var. Thulite{Ca2}{Al,Mn33+}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH)
Oⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Oⓘ UraniniteUO2
Oⓘ Zoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Oⓘ Garnet GroupX3Z2(SiO4)3
NaSodium
Naⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
Mgⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
AlAluminium
Alⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Alⓘ Clinozoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Alⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ Zoisite var. Thulite{Ca2}{Al,Mn33+}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH)
Alⓘ Zoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
SiSilicon
Siⓘ AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Siⓘ Clinozoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Siⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ QuartzSiO2
Siⓘ TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
Siⓘ Zoisite var. Thulite{Ca2}{Al,Mn33+}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH)
Siⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Siⓘ Zoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Siⓘ Garnet GroupX3Z2(SiO4)3
SSulfur
Sⓘ AlabanditeMnS
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ MolybdeniteMoS2
Sⓘ Pentlandite(NixFey)Σ9S8
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
Sⓘ PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
Sⓘ SphaleriteZnS
Sⓘ StanniteCu2FeSnS4
Sⓘ UllmanniteNiSbS
Sⓘ ViolariteFe2+Ni23+S4
KPotassium
Kⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Caⓘ Clinozoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
Caⓘ Zoisite var. Thulite{Ca2}{Al,Mn33+}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH)
Caⓘ Tremolite◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2
Caⓘ Zoisite(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
MnManganese
Mnⓘ AlabanditeMnS
Mnⓘ Zoisite var. Thulite{Ca2}{Al,Mn33+}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH)
FeIron
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ Pentlandite(NixFey)Σ9S8
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
Feⓘ PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
Feⓘ StanniteCu2FeSnS4
Feⓘ ViolariteFe2+Ni23+S4
NiNickel
Niⓘ Pentlandite(NixFey)Σ9S8
Niⓘ UllmanniteNiSbS
Niⓘ ViolariteFe2+Ni23+S4
CuCopper
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuⓘ StanniteCu2FeSnS4
ZnZinc
Znⓘ SphaleriteZnS
MoMolybdenum
Moⓘ MolybdeniteMoS2
SnTin
Snⓘ StanniteCu2FeSnS4
SbAntimony
Sbⓘ UllmanniteNiSbS
UUranium
Uⓘ UraniniteUO2

Other Databases

Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talvivaara_mine

Localities in this Region

Finland

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Baltic Shield (Fennoscandian Shield)Shield
Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate
EuropeContinent

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Der Spiegel 44/2012, 122-123 (in German)
www.wise-uranium.org (n.d.) http://www.wise-uranium.org/upeur.html#SOTKAMO
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahtium
Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, Kirsti, Heino, Timo (1996) Geochemistry and genesis of the black shale-hosted Ni-Cu-Zn deposit at Talvivaara, Finland. Economic Geology, 91 (1) 80-110 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.91.1.80
Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, K, Uutela, A, Tenhola, M, Paukola, T (1998) Environmental impact of metalliferous black shales at Talvivaara in Finland, with indication of lake acidification 9000 years ago. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 64 (1) 395-407 doi:10.1016/s0375-6742(98)00047-8
www.gsf.fi (2002) http://www.gsf.fi/explor/zinc/kolmisoppi.htm
Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, Kirsti; Lahtinen, Hannu (2013) Multiphase evolution in the black-shale-hosted Ni–Cu–Zn–Co deposit at Talvivaara, Finland. Ore Geology Reviews, 52. doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2012.10.006
Kinnunen, K.A., Hietala, S., Tiljander, M. (2013): Talvivaaran punainen korukivi sisältää thuliittia. Mineralia 2013 (3): 26–28.
Riekkola-Vanhanen, Marja (2013) Talvivaara mining company – From a project to a mine. Minerals Engineering, 48. 2-9 doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2013.04.018
Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, Kirsti; Lahtinen, Hannu (2013) Multiphase evolution in the black-shale-hosted Ni–Cu–Zn–Co deposit at Talvivaara, Finland. Ore Geology Reviews, 52. doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2012.10.006
Parviainen, Annika, Mäkilä, Markku, Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, Kirsti (2014) Pre-mining acid rock drainage in the Talvivaara Ni–Cu–Zn–Co deposit (Finland): Natural peat layers as a natural analog to constructed wetlands. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 143. 84-95 doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2014.03.024
Lecomte, Andreï, Cathelineau, Michel, Deloule, Etienne, Brouand, Marc, Peiffert, Chantal, Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, Kirsti, Pohjolainen, Esa, Lahtinen, Hannu (2014) Uraniferous bitumen nodules in the Talvivaara Ni–Zn–Cu–Co deposit (Finland): influence of metamorphism on uranium mineralization in black shales. Mineralium Deposita, 49 (4) 513-533 doi:10.1007/s00126-013-0502-3
Kontinen, A.; Hanski, E. (2015) The Talvivaara Black Shale-Hosted Ni-Zn-Cu-Co Deposit in Eastern Finland. In Mineral Deposits of Finland. Elsevier. p.557-612. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-410438-9.00022-4
Tuovinen, Hanna, Pohjolainen, Esa, Lempinen, Janne, Vesterbacka, Daniela, Read, David, Solatie, Dina, Lehto, Jukka (2016) Behaviour of radionuclides during microbially-induced mining of nickel at Talvivaara, Eastern Finland. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 151. 105-113 doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.09.022
Tuovinen, Hanna, Pelkonen, Mila, Lempinen, Janne, Pohjolainen, Esa, Read, David, Solatie, Dina, Lehto, Jukka (2018) Behaviour of Metals during Bioheap Leaching at the Talvivaara Mine, Finland. Geosciences, 8 (2) 66 doi:10.3390/geosciences8020066
www.tampereenkivikerho.fi (n.d.) https://www.tampereenkivikerho.fi/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Mineralia_2013_3_net.pdf
Quick NavTopMineral ListOther DatabasesLocalities in RegionOther RegionsReferences
 
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: May 19, 2026 01:15:14 Page updated: April 2, 2026 16:16:09
Go to top of page