What specific concessions is Sibanye requesting from the EU for its Keliber lithium project in Finland?

Sibanye is seeking EU concessions including a price protection mechanism against unfair competition—such as oversupply from China—and support to mitigate investment risks and trade-related uncertainties, citing U.S. tariffs and Chinese export restrictions; CEO Richard Stewart emphasized the need for safeguards to protect the refinery as a 'very strategic asset' and avoid placing all market risk on shareholders.

What are the key operational milestones and timelines for Sibanye's Keliber lithium project in Finland?

Sibanye began mining lithium ore at the Syväjärvi open-cast mine in February; it plans to commission a concentrator in Q3 2026 to produce ~140,000 metric tons of spodumene concentrate annually; a decision on commissioning a refinery to produce ~15,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide per year will be made in Q3 2026 and depends largely on ongoing talks with the EU, including discussions about a floor price.

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