As Europe strives to secure a resilient and sustainable supply chain for Rare Earth Elements (REEs), the role of exploration and mining companies becomes ever more critical. That is why the REMHub consortium is proud to have Bambra Oy as a key industrial partner. Operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Australian exploration company Prospech Limited, Bambra Oy brings vital geological assets and expertise to the project. Their work focuses on developing rare earth projects in Finland – a country that has become a focal point for raw material independence in the EU.
For the general public, the idea of mining often conjures images of digging new holes in the ground. However, Bambra’s flagship initiative, the Korsnäs project in western Finland, takes a smarter, more circular approach.
Korsnäs is a ‘brownfield’ site, meaning it was previously a mine. Historically mined for lead until 1972, the site contains significant deposits of rare earths that were largely ignored during its original operation. Today, Bambra is not only exploring the bedrock but also investigating the old mine’s tailings (waste rock) and a specific stockpile known as the ‘lanthanide dump’. A bulk sampling campaign was carried out on this dump on June 26, 2025, where approximately 345 kg of material was excavated for analysis.
By revisiting these historical sites with modern technology, Bambra aims to turn yesterday’s waste into tomorrow’s critical raw materials. This approach aligns perfectly with REMHub’s mission to foster sustainability and reduce the environmental footprint of mining.
For our technical stakeholders and industry observers, Bambra’s role in REMHub provides a real-world testing ground for validating new processing technologies. Key technical contributions and collaborations include:
Resource validation
Bambra is working closely with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) to validate the REE potential of the Korsnäs deposit. This includes the use of Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). These create detailed mineralogical maps and are a key innovation in REMHub’s exploration workflow, scanning drill cores for immediate, non-destructive compositional analysis.
Metallurgical testing
In collaboration with the University of Oulu (OU) and GTK Mintec, Bambra provides bulk samples of lanthanide concentrate and tailings for advanced testing. These tests focus on optimising crushing using a novel Continuous Compressing Crusher (CCC) to improve energy efficiency in the comminution process, as well as grinding and flotation processes to ensure that REEs can be extracted more efficiently and economically. These tests are dealing with complex challenges, such as removing fine particles using hydrocyclones before flotation can occur.
3D modelling
The project utilises data from Korsnäs to create state-of-the-art 3D geological models. A key innovative technology is muography – 3D models will incorporate data from innovative downhole muography surveys, a non-invasive technique using cosmic-ray muons to map subsurface density. Bambra will facilitate these “downhole Muon surveys” using open drill holes to detect density differences in the rock. Integrating muography data into the 3D models is a major innovation goal of the REMHub project. These models help refine resource estimates and guide future exploration drilling, reducing the uncertainty often associated with subsurface projects.
The European Union currently imports the vast majority of its permanent magnets and the rare earths required to make them. Projects like Korsnäs represent a tangible step towards reversing this dependency. Bambra is also pioneering responsible processing workflows that safely manage naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) often associated with rare earths, ensuring strict adherence to Finnish radiation safety standards.
By proving that we can efficiently extract these critical minerals from European soil – and specifically from existing industrial sites – partners like Bambra are laying the foundation for a secure, autonomous value chain.