Our Story

The Pyhäsalmi Mine has been one of the most important pillars of industry in Pyhäjärvi for decades. Throughout the years, the mine has provided employment, livelihoods, expertise, international connections, and a strong industrial identity for the municipality. The significance of mining to Pyhäjärvi has not been solely economic. It has been an integral part of everyday life, a driver of internationally recognised expertise, and a source of confidence in the future. Mining has also contributed to many of the region’s current strengths, including its robust electrical grid infrastructure.

The story of Callio Pyhäjärvi is built on this foundation. Our mission is to honour the history of the Pyhäsalmi Mine while creating new opportunities through its unique industrial infrastructure, expertise, and strategic location. Our goal is to ensure that the mine site continues to generate value for both Pyhäjärvi and international industrial operators. This work has been carried out in close cooperation with the mine owner, First Quantum Minerals Ltd, and its local subsidiary, Pyhäsalmi Mine Oy.

Callio was established in 2014 to develop new uses for the Pyhäsalmi mine site. From the outset, our work has been based on concrete projects, partnerships, and the belief that the value of a mine does not end when ore extraction ceases. The site possesses exceptional underground and surface infrastructure that can serve as a platform for new industrial activities. Through a long term cooperation agreement with the owner, Callio holds the exclusive rights to develop the site’s post mining use, providing a stable foundation for long term development.

Between 2015 and 2019, the pumped storage hydropower project strongly shaped the vision for the future use of the mine site. The project highlighted the potential of the Pyhäsalmi Mine as part of the evolving energy system. The deep underground mine, existing infrastructure, and growing need for energy storage created a unique combination that attracted broad interest. Although project development and energy markets have evolved over the years, the significance of the pumped storage project remains clear. It demonstrated that the Pyhäsalmi mine site has an important role to play in developing solutions for the new energy economy. The project has also acted as a catalyst for several energy sector investments in the area. During 2024 and 2025, a 13 MWp utility scale solar power plant was constructed on former tailings pond areas, and in summer 2026 construction began on a large scale battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 85 MW / 170 MWh. These projects demonstrate how a former mine site can serve as a platform for the energy transition.

At the same time, Callio has been developing the FutureMINE RDI Cluster, designed to serve the international mining industry. FutureMINE is built around the unique environment of the Pyhäsalmi Mine. The mine provides a real industrial operating environment where new technologies can be developed, tested, validated, and deployed. This distinguishes Pyhäsalmi from many other innovation environments. It is not a laboratory detached from reality, but an active mining environment where technologies must perform under real operating conditions.

The development of the FutureMINE Cluster advanced significantly between 2023 and 2025. New capabilities were established through investments in a private 5G network, electric charging infrastructure, positioning technologies, drone operations, and remote training and remote operation environments. These solutions form the foundation for the key themes shaping the future of mining: automation, remote operations, electrification, safety, data driven decision making, and new operating models.

Since 2023, Callio has also been developing industrial park projects linked to the energy transition together with the City of Pyhäjärvi, with Olcconen serving as the flagship development area. Several data centre projects are currently being established in the area, and Pyhäjärvi’s strengths, including energy availability, high capacity data connectivity, strategic location, industrial land use planning, and existing infrastructure, provide a strong foundation for future investments.

Callio continues its work to develop the Pyhäsalmi mine site, the FutureMINE Cluster, and the industrial parks of Pyhäjärvi. Our objective is to ensure that Pyhäjärvi remains a strong industrial community well into the future. We believe that the legacy of the Pyhäsalmi Mine provides a solid foundation for future growth and development.

The story of the Pyhäsalmi mine site does not end with the transition of mining operations. It continues through new industrial activities, energy projects, technology development, and international cooperation.

Pyhäsalmi Mine Oy

Mainarintie 2,
86900 Pyhäkumpu,
PL 51, 86801 PYHÄSALMI
www.first-quantum.com