Boom time for Swedish mines
Record breaking figures
One of the biggest new iron ore mines in Sweden is being opened today close to the northern town of Pajala, as Swedish mines continue to break production records.
Over 60 million tonnes of iron, copper and zinc ore were removed from Swedish mines in 2011, which is twice as much as 30 years ago, and over 25,000 people are employed in the mining industry, reports Swedish Radio.
The latest mine to open is in Kaunisvaara, close to Pajala, and is expected to create over 750 jobs when it reaches full production in a few years time. The boom has also meant that towns that were losing their population to larger urban areas, are once again growing. Over one thousand people are now in the housing queue to get a flat in Tornedalen municipality.
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