We have started the pumps at the Viscaria mine, a decisive step in restarting our operations in Kiruna. At the same time, commissioning of our new water treatment plant has started, an investment that marks the beginning of a new phase for modern and responsible mining.
On 1 October, we started the pumps for the dewatering of the Viscaria mine, a major milestone in reopening our mine in Kiruna. This work marks the start of the extensive commissioning phase of our new water treatment plant and represents an important step on the path towards future mining operations.
The project is led by our Project Manager, Peter Tornéus, together with the contractors who, over the past year, have worked intensively on construction, installation and preparations for this day. The work has been characterised by meticulous planning, strong safety focus and close collaboration between all involved parties.
“We have been looking forward to this day when we can finally begin dewatering the mine. For us, this is the starting point of a new phase where we will gradually run the system, test the processes and ensure that everything functions as intended,” says Peter Tornéus, Project Manager for the construction of the water treatment plant.
During the commissioning phase, water is being pumped in a controlled manner into the plant’s basins as different parts of the system are tested and optimised. No water will be discharged into the recipient yet. That will take place only once all functions are operational and meet the strict requirements for purification and discharge quality.
The dewatering of the mine will continue for most of the coming year. Once the water level has dropped sufficiently, we will be able to enter the mine and begin rehabilitating the existing infrastructure. This work lays the foundation for future operations and safe access to our mineral resources.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the contractors who made this milestone possible: AF-Rör, Partmont, MJX, Elkoll AB, Xylem, Bravida and Sandströms. The drilling of the pump and measurement holes that made the work possible has been carried out by Orefields.
“A year ago, we announced that 1 October 2025 would be the start date for the dewatering of the mine. Today, we can proudly say that we have delivered on that promise. It is clear proof of our ability to plan, execute and deliver according to our commitments,” says our CEO, Jörgen Olsson.
Groundbreaking water treatment – a cornerstone of responsible mining
Since its closure, the Viscaria mine has filled with around six million cubic metres of water, which over time has dissolved substances from the ore body. To safely and sustainably dewater the mine, we have built a new water treatment facility, an investment of approximately SEK 500 million and one of the largest environmental initiatives within the Swedish mining industry.
The water is treated in several stages. First, sand filters remove particles and iron; then ion exchange filters capture metals such as zinc, cobalt and uranium. The result is water that is cleaner than drinking water, so clean that we will be able to produce our own drinking water from the process.
“The launch of the treatment plant marks a major milestone for us and represents one of the cornerstones of our sustainability work. It is also essential for keeping to our project timeline,” says Jörgen Olsson.
The world-unique treatment technology has been developed together with Finnish partner Teollisuuden Vesi and has the capacity to treat up to 1,000 cubic metres of water per hour. The system removes 95–99 percent of copper, zinc and uranium before the water is discharged into the Torne River. The County Administrative Board has already highlighted the project as a potential new industry benchmark.
Through this initiative, we are realising modern and responsible mining, strengthening Sweden’s competitiveness and reducing Europe’s dependence on imported critical raw materials that drive the climate transition. When production begins in 2027, we will supply around five percent of Europe’s copper demand, with one of the world’s lowest carbon footprints, Swedish ownership and world-leading expertise.