Sweden-based mining company Boliden has awarded an engineering and site services contract for the Odda zinc smelter expansion project to Afry, a Europe-focused sustainable technology provider.

The expansion will enable Boliden to "almost double" annual zinc production at the Odda smelter in Norway to 350,000 tonnes and cut carbon dioxide by 15%.

Additionally, it will also enable extracting the bi-metals lead, gold and silver. Boliden's total investment in the smelter expansion is estimated to be $802.7 million, and the project will be completed at the end of 2024.

Afry's scope will include detailed engineering, site services and project procurement support; these will be delivered between 2022 and 2024.

Afry said the expansion project would "improve energy efficiency, use only fossil-free electricity and use sustainable technologies" in all production phases. Furthermore, Boilden's solution for waste handling will be expanded as part of the project.

Janne Tikka, head of mining and metals, Process Industries Division at Afry, said Afry's mission is to "support the transition towards more sustainable societies" and described the project with Boliden as "perfectly aligned with that target."

Andreas Johansson, global key account manager at Afry, said the company would "create additional value for Boliden."

In late December 2021, Boliden struck another deal with Metso Outotec to deliver critical technology as part of the Odda zinc smelter expansion.