A notable find recently prompted the gradual relocation of the entire Swedish city of Kiruna, one building at a time.
Kiruna, a picturesque town located in the far north of Swedish Lapland, had a population of just over 17,000 in 2016. This town is famous for its history, due to a colossal iron ore mine and its underground visitor center .
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- What did they discover?
- Why were locals asked to relocate?
What did they discover?
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Recently, Kiruna has witnessed the discovery of valuable minerals, including the largest rare earth deposit ever made in the city earlier this year. These particular elements have significant importance in the manufacturing of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and wind turbines, making them extremely valuable resources for these environmentally friendly technologies.
Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch proudly described her country as a “gold mine” and urged the rest of Europe to pay attention.
This statement comes as the world increasingly relies on Russia for a variety of resources, which has led to substantial price increases over the past 18 months.
The Kiruna iron ore mine, run by the Swedish state-owned company LAB, supplies a staggering 80 percent of the European Union’s iron ore needs.
Ironically, Kiruna’s impressive mining success has now given rise to its own set of challenges.
Why were locals asked to relocate?
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The daily extraction of ore from the mine, equivalent to the weight of six Eiffel Towers, has caused the deformation of the terrain along its western border. This problem not only affects the residents but also the town itself.
Local reports have even highlighted the discovery of cracks in a hospital and safety concerns regarding a nearby school for both students and teachers. As a result, a project to relocate Kiruna approximately 3 kilometers east of its original location is underway, with a target completion date of 2026.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn