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The mining industry in Scandinavia is gaining ground fast. Sweden is currently undergoing an expansion that few would have thought possible not many years ago. The investments that are being made are of the order of hundreds of billions and manpower needs are enormous. At the same time, our neighbours Finland and Norway are investing large sums in mining-related research. In the midst of this expansion, Euro Mine Expo will take place in Skellefteå, Sweden, from 12-14 June 2012.
Sweden is still the largest raw metal supplier in the Nordic region. To give just one example, 90% of Europe’s iron ore comes from the north of Sweden. Here, in the region with the most mines in Europe, is where the Euro Mine Expo international trade fair is going to be arranged for the third time. The fair, which will take place in Skellefteå in Sweden from 12-14 June 2012, also has a conference segment with topical presentations by leading players in the industry. The themes around which the conference will be based are “Mining in the Barents Region”, “Good governance and corporate responsibility” and “Smarter, deeper, better mining”. The fair is being held during a period of strong expansion in the Scandinavian mining industry.
Large parts of the northern Swedish city of Kiruna are being relocated to make room for more mining. The move will allow the mine in Malmberget to continue to expand and a completely new mine has been started in Pajala.
Sweden’s neighbours are working hard to catch up. In Norway, the government is expected to begin the first state-funded mineral research programme for 15 years in order to develop mining, which has come to be of increasing interest as metal prices have risen. And in May the Finnish government gave the go-ahead for a five-year state-funded mining research programme to create new industries, new companies and more research in Finland’s mining and mineral sector.
The mining industry in Sweden employs approximately 30,000 people and there will be a great need for personnel over the next few years. In a few years’ time the industry will need to employ about 3,000 people.
“The industry’s recruitment needs are far greater than the number of people registered as job-seekers with us. Solutions must also be found that are good for all the mining towns. The different companies compete for manpower,” says Terje Raattamaa, Manager of the Public Employment Service’s offices in Pajala, Kiruna, Karesuando and Vittangi.
A study conducted by Sweden’s basic industry for the Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) within the framework of the “Innovation for Growth” project, shows that steel, ore, forestry products and chemicals together account for approximately SEK 100 billion of the country’s net exports.
One example of the mining industry’s expansion is the small town of Pajala, north of the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden. Here there is an extensive iron ore deposit and the Canadian company Northland Resources is planning a total of three mines after originally having been looking for gold. Mining is nothing new in Pajala. The first mine was dug in the 1700s and in the 1970s the Kaunisvaara ore body was discovered but was not judged to be profitable at the time. The reduction in population that the town has suffered has also ceased; a substantial influx of people is expected and new residential areas are being planned.
This is not least due to an expected 700 new jobs in the mine in Pajala alone and many new ancillary jobs in addition.
“Being able to bring together much of the competence in the mining industry makes Euro Mine Expo one of the most important meeting-places in Europe for anyone with interests in the mining industry,” says AnnSofie Greander, Project Manager for Euro Mine Expo 2012.
Euro Mine Expo takes place June 12-14, 2012 in Skellefteå. This third international trade fair and conference for the mining industry and its suppliers is held in the very heart of Sweden’s mining industry. In this region, tradition and history go hand in hand with technical development and innovative approaches.
