Ongoing Relocation in Kiruna as Mining Expansion Continues
Kiruna faces another round of relocations as LKAB expands mining operations, impacting 6,000 residents.
Key Points
- • 6,000 residents will need to relocate due to LKAB's expansion.
- • Busch supports the expansion for job creation and national security.
- • Future relocations are uncertain due to planned deepening of mining operations.
- • LKAB may explore new deposits, including rare earth metals.
The expansion of LKAB's mining operations in Kiruna has been confirmed to necessitate the relocation of approximately 6,000 additional residents. Sweden's Energy and Business Minister, Ebba Busch, voiced her support for the development, asserting, "It is positive that LKAB continues to make large investments in Norrbotten. This will lay the foundation for jobs for decades to come..." This strategic move is aimed at securing Sweden's independence from potentially unstable nations.
However, the prospect of this relocation has raised significant concerns among locals, many of whom have already faced moves due to prior expansions. LKAB has indicated that the current relocation may not be the last, as future mining operations could require further displacements. The company's director of community development, Stefan Hämäläinen, stated that the depth of ongoing mining activities, as well as discoveries in areas like Per Geijer, will dictate the necessity for more relocations in the near future.
Amidst these challenges, Minister Busch underscored the state's role in ensuring a smooth transition for those affected and suggested that the government might use state-owned land to assist in the relocation process. The complexities surrounding landownership in the municipality continue to pose significant challenges but the government remains optimistic about a collaborative approach for the future.