Mining & Minerals in Sweden
Sweden has been a mining nation for over a thousand years. The country's geological foundation — the ancient Precambrian shield, enriched by billions of years of tectonic and volcanic activity — holds some of Europe's richest mineral deposits. Today, Sweden is the EU's leading producer of iron ore and one of its most significant sources of base and precious metals. The recent discovery of substantial rare earth element deposits has thrust Swedish mining into the geopolitical spotlight.
Iron Ore — The Foundation
Copper, Gold, and Base Metals
- Boliden — Sweden's second major mining company, operating mines primarily in Norrbotten and Västerbotten. Products include copper, zinc, gold, silver, lead, and nickel
- Aitik — Near Gällivare; one of Europe's largest open-pit copper mines
- Gold — Sweden produces several tonnes of gold annually, primarily as a byproduct of copper and zinc mining
- Zinc and lead — Historically significant; the Falu copper mine in Dalarna (operated for over 1,000 years, closed 1992) also produced zinc, lead, and the iconic Falu rödfärg (Falun red paint) that colours Swedish wooden buildings
Rare Earth Elements — Europe's Strategic Reserve
In January 2023, LKAB announced the discovery of one of Europe's largest known deposits of rare earth elements (REEs) at Per Geijer, adjacent to the Kiruna iron ore body. The deposit is estimated at over one million tonnes of rare earth oxides — critical materials for electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, electronics, and defence systems.
Green transition — HYBRIT and the push for fossil-free industry
19th-century Sweden — How mining and industrialisation transformed the nation