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Mine planning

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The deposit

Viscaria’s mining deposit is divided into four zones and extends 4 kilometers horizontally. Vertically, the ore bodies are mapped down to 800 meters deep. Many of the mine tunnels preserved from previous underground mining will be able to be repaired and reused if the mine is reopened. Additionally, the mine’s infrastructure will be expanded to reach all parts of the deposit. Under Viscaria’s management, mining is planned to occur both in open pits and underground.

Viscaria is what’s known as an open deposit, meaning its outer limits in vertical and horizontal directions have not yet been mapped. Therefore, exploration and surveys continue in parallel with the work to reopen the mining operation.

Viscaria’s mining zones

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Viscaria aims to be a mine with minimal environmental and climate impact

Through water purification, efficient resource utilization, and modern infrastructure and mining technology, the impact from mining operations at Viscaria will be minimal.

Timeline Viscaria

From processing concession to mining operations. Here's the timeline for the reopening of the Viscaria Mine.

2021

  • The government grants processing concession V K No. 7.

2022

  • Environmental permit application submitted to the Land and Environment Court 30/3
  • Planning for facility construction, industrial area, and logistics
  • Construction of Viscaria Passage – a bridge over E10 facilitating access to the area.

2023

  • Published environmental permit application
  • Land allocation obtained for the Viscaria area.
  • Correspondence between the stakeholders
  • Site inspection ahead of main hearing took place on 29th September.

2024

  • Main hearing held in Kiruna from 30th January to 21st February.
  • Environmental permit with execution order granted on 6th May
  • Environmental permit for Viscaria appealed to the Land and Environment Court of Appeal on 28th May
  • Environmental permit invoked under the execution order on 1st August
  • Collaboration agreement signed with Laevas Sami Village on 28th August
  • No leave to appeal granted by the Land and Environment Court of Appeal on 6th November
  • Environmental permit appealed to the Supreme Court on 4th December
  • Decision on land allocation gains legal force on 6th December

2025

  • Ongoing infrastructure works: roads, perimeter security, utility installations, etc.
  • Construction of the water treatment plant and sludge disposal site
  • Dewatering of the underground mine
  • Commencement of construction for the enrichment plant, tailings storage facility, and other infrastructure
  • The Supreme Court announced on 16 April that it will not grant leave to appeal regarding Viscaria’s environmental permit. This means that the permit can no longer be appealed and has therefore gained legal force.

2026

  • Continued construction of the enrichment plant, tailings storage facility, and infrastructure
  • Power supply for production needs
  • Connection to the Malmbanan railway
  • First extraction of raw ore

2027

  • Completion of the enrichment plant
  • First copper concentrate from own facility
  • First train to customer