Study visit to Kiruna gave unique insights into underground mining

Students on the course Open Pit and Underground Mining at Luleå University of Technology this year had the opportunity to visit the Kiruna mine - the world's largest underground iron ore mine, located north of the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland. The mine is owned by the state mining company LKAB.

During the visit, the group attended lectures on the current mining method in LKAB's mines, the ventilation system in Kiruna, mine planning, and blasting in production and development - all in a "classroom environment" 540 meters underground. The room is part of LKAB's Visitor Center, a museum open to the public. After the lectures, the students took part in a guided tour where they saw historical mining equipment and learned more about the mine's development.

The group also visited the KV7 ventilation station at ground level, where they saw new heating technology that recovers heat from ventilation air to reduce energy consumption.

In addition to the mine visit, the students were given a tour of both old and new Kiruna and were able to see for themselves how urban transformation is progressing in line with the mine's expansion. They saw, among other things, the recently relocated Kiruna church, the childhood home of ice hockey legend Börje Salming and the classic Matojärvi ice rink.

The study trip was made possible by a generous grant from the Rut and Sten Brands Foundation. The group also expresses its gratitude to Atif Waheed, Nikolaus Petropoulos, Tata Fritsco Mabui, Jordan Lundqvist and Jenny Larsborg at LKAB for the opportunity to conduct this rewarding visit.

To conclude, the participants experienced the Northern Lights over the Kiruna mine - a perfect finale to an unforgettable trip.