| Written by Mark Buzinkay
Table of contents:
- Sweden mining industry of the past
- Sweden mining industry today
- Top 5 minerals mined in Sweden
- Challenges and potentials for Sweden's mining industry in the future
- FAQs
- Takeaway
- Glossary
Sweden Mining Industry of the past
Sweden's mining industry is one of the oldest and most significant in Europe, with a legacy that spans over a thousand years. The country's geological richness and its strategic use of mineral resources have played a central role in shaping Sweden's economy, society, and industrial development from the early medieval period to the modern day.
Mining activities in Sweden can be traced back to the Viking Age, with archaeological evidence suggesting that iron production was taking place as early as the 9th century. In these early stages, mining was primarily a small-scale, local activity, with iron ore being extracted from bogs and used in basic blacksmithing. This rudimentary form of mining supported local communities, providing tools and weapons, and laid the foundation for more structured mining operations in the centuries to come.
The first significant leap in Swedish mining occurred during the High Middle Ages, particularly around the 13th and 14th centuries, when more organised mining activities began to emerge. Copper and iron became central to the Swedish economy, and notable mining districts such as Falun in Dalarna rose to prominence. The Falun Copper Mine, in particular, became one of the most important mining centres in Europe. For several centuries, it was the continent's largest copper producer and earned the moniker "the treasure of the nation." At its peak in the 17th century, it supplied up to two-thirds of Europe's copper needs, fueling both Swedish wealth and military ambitions during the era of Swedish great power (Stormaktstiden).
The economic influence of mining expanded during this time, with the Swedish Crown exerting control over mining operations and infrastructure. The state played a key role by establishing institutions such as the Board of Mines (Bergskollegium) in 1637, which regulated mining and supported technical innovation. This period also saw the development of mining towns and the emergence of a growing class of miners and metallurgists. Notably, the growth of mining was paralleled by technological advancements, including early blasting techniques and improved smelting processes.
Iron also played a critical role in Sweden's emergence as a European power. Swedish iron, known for its high quality and low phosphorus content, became a sought-after commodity for armaments and construction. Exports of bar iron to Britain and other parts of Europe steadily increased from the 17th through the 19th centuries, helping to fund Sweden's industrial development. The rise of ironworks such as those in Bergslagen established the region as a backbone of Swedish industry.
By the 19th century, Sweden's mining sector had evolved alongside the wider European industrial revolution. Innovations such as the Bessemer process for steel production increased the demand for high-grade iron ore, and Swedish mines continued to meet this demand. The discovery and exploitation of vast iron ore reserves in northern Sweden—particularly in Kiruna and Gällivare—marked another turning point. These deposits were among the largest and purest in the world, and their development was closely tied to the construction of major railway lines, such as the Iron Ore Line (Malmbanan), which connected the inland mines to the ports of Luleå on the Baltic Sea and Narvik in Norway on the Atlantic.
The 20th century brought further modernisation and expansion. During both World Wars, Swedish iron ore remained a vital strategic resource, highly valued by both the Allied and Axis powers. Post-war, the mining sector continued to adapt, shifting towards more mechanised and efficient practices, with greater emphasis on environmental management and worker safety. At the same time, mining communities in the north developed a strong cultural identity, closely linked to Sami traditions and the harsh Arctic environment.
Today, Sweden remains one of Europe's leading mining nations. It is the largest iron ore producer in the EU and also mines significant quantities of copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Companies like LKAB (Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara AB), Boliden, and others have become internationally recognised names. Modern Swedish mining benefits from advanced technologies, automation, and sustainable practices, all while navigating challenges related to environmental impact, indigenous rights, and resource management.
The history of Swedish mining is thus a story of transformation—from medieval necessity to industrial engine to high-tech sector—rooted in the rich geology of the land and the resilience of its people.(1)
Sweden Mining Industry Today
Sweden's contemporary mining industry remains a cornerstone of its economy, rooted in centuries of geological abundance but increasingly future-focused. In 2023, Sweden extracted just over 84 million tonnes of ore, reflecting a small decline of about 4 per cent from the previous year, yet this figure masks the sustained dominance of this sector as Europe's leading iron-ore producer. The state-owned LKAB and privately held Boliden together account for the overwhelming majority—approximately 82 per cent—of mining industry investment in Sweden. Their output forms the backbone of roughly 3 per cent of the national GDP and close to 8 per cent of Sweden's exports, while directly and indirectly supporting between 100,000 and 125,000 jobs.
LKAB, headquartered in Luleå and operating mines in Kiruna and Malmberget, reported revenues of approximately 42.9 billion SEK in 2023, employing around 4,640 people. Its operations are critical: supplying over 80 per cent of Europe's iron ore, LKAB also spearheads innovation via processing waste into high-value rare-earth concentrates. A new plant under construction near Luleå, expected to begin commercial operation by late 2029 or early 2030, aims to convert Malmberget mine waste—and eventually Per Geijer by-product—into up to 18 per cent of Europe's rare-earth oxide needs.
Boliden, with around 5,600 employees as of 2023, is Sweden's major base-metal miner and smelter operator. Its extensive portfolio includes copper, zinc, nickel, lead, and precious metals. Boliden's Rönnskär smelter in Skelleftehamn is a leading European facility; in addition to primary metal production, it processes electronic scrap into secondary materials and pioneered integrated sulfur acid production—receiving €88 million in EU funding in 2024 for pollution reduction. The company is also Europe's largest recycler of electrical waste.
Supporting these giants is a robust industrial cluster including global engineering firms such as Sandvik, Atlas Copco, ABB, and Epiroc. Sandvik alone employs over 41,000 people worldwide and generated 123 billion SEK in 2024 revenue, with more than half attributable to its Mining and Rock Solutions division—supplying advanced drilling, excavation, and automation equipment. Sweden's mining sector encompasses at least 12 active metal mines and 14 limestone quarries, integrating supply chains that include mining services, heavy machinery, transportation, and processing.
Regionally, mining activities are heavily concentrated in northern Sweden—Norrland—with key centres in Kiruna, Malmberget, Gällivare, Skellefteå, and Luleå. These towns anchor communities, local economies, and vital rail and port infrastructure, such as the Malmbanan line and ports in Narvik and Luleå. Mechanisation and automation are widespread; newcomers often remark on the necessity of heavy-equipment proficiency.
Facing both opportunity and challenge, Sweden's mining sector stands at the forefront of the green transition. With investments in circular technologies, scrap recycling, and low-carbon production processes, the industry is well-positioned to contribute to Europe's clean energy ambitions. Its economic impact remains substantial—not just in terms of revenue and employment, but also through innovation, regional development, and supply-chain resilience. As Sweden balances environmental responsibility and indigenous rights, its mining landscape today is as dynamic and influential as ever. (2)(3)
Sweden Mining Industry: Top 5 Minerals
Iron Ore
Sweden is the EU's leading iron ore producer, extracting approximately 80 million tonnes annually, valued at over €8–10 billion per year. The world-renowned deposits at Kiruna and Malmberget, operated by state-owned LKAB, are mined via underground sublevel caving. Ore is processed into pellets and fines, then moved by specialised ore trains along the Malmbanan railway to ports in Narvik (Norway) and Luleå (Sweden), before export primarily to European steel mills and global markets including North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. (4)
Copper
Sweden ranks fourth in EU copper production, thanks largely to the Aitik open-pit mine near Gällivare (Boliden), producing around 18 million tonnes of ore per year, including copper with by‑products of gold and silver. The mine is an open-pit operation, with extracted ore transported by heavy-haul trucks to on-site crushing and milling facilities. The concentrate is then trucked and railed to the Rönnskär smelter in Skelleftehamn for further processing.
Zinc
Sweden leads the EU in zinc output, with annual production of around 185,000 tonnes of concentrate, valued at nearly €300–400 million annually. The polymetallic Garpenberg mine (Boliden) is an underground operation, extracting zinc along with copper, lead, gold, and silver. Concentrate is transported via truck and rail to Boliden's smelters or international markets. (5)
Lead
Lead concentrate output in Sweden is approximately 50,000 tonnes per year, valued at an estimated €100–150 million. Like zinc, lead is primarily mined at Garpenberg underground, then shipped by truck and rail to local smelters and overseas buyers.
Gold
Sweden is the EU's second-largest gold producer, with an annual output of approximately 2 tonnes (around 2,000 kg), valued at roughly €80–100 million. Gold is recovered as a by-product from copper and polymetallic mines like Aitik and Garpenberg. Processed gold is transported to Boliden's refining facilities via their established rail and road infrastructure and then sold mostly to international bullion markets.
What are the Challenges and Potentials of Sweden's Mining Industry?
Sweden's mining sector stands at a crucial crossroads, facing profound challenges and transformative potential as it moves into the future.
On one level, the global push toward a green economy—featuring electric vehicles, wind turbines, battery storage—demands a dramatic increase in critical minerals. Europe alone expects a 500 per cent rise in raw material demand by 2050. Sweden, with burgeoning deposits of rare earth elements near Kiruna and the planned Per Geijer project, could supply roughly 18 per cent of Europe's rare earth oxide needs by 2030, positioning the country as a rare-earth leader in a continent seeking autonomy from China. This is a potent opportunity: Sweden can secure critical raw material supply chains, foster domestic value-added processing, and drive high-tech industrial growth.
Yet the road ahead is far from smooth. One major obstacle is the complexity and delay inherent in Sweden's mining permitting process. Despite EU initiatives like the Critical Raw Materials Act (mandating streamlined permitting under two years), Sweden's administrative and environmental reviews remain slow, potentially hindering timely mine development.
Cultural and environmental tensions compound this. Many proposed mine sites, including Kallak, overlap traditional Sámi reindeer-herding lands—fueling strong opposition from indigenous communities, activists, and environmental groups. Critics highlight the "green colonialism" paradox: green mining projects threatening each other's legitimacy by undermining Sámi rights and fragile ecosystems. Until these issues are meaningfully addressed—including ratification of international indigenous rights standards—the industry may be slowed by legal challenges, reputational risk, and societal pushback.
On the technical front, Sweden is already pioneering innovation: underground Wi‑Fi for remote equipment operation, LiDAR-enabled autonomous hauliers in Boliden's Kankberg mine, and strides toward fossil‑free extraction by 2035. These advances boost safety, cut costs, and enhance productivity—but create dependencies on complex software ecosystems and vendor‑operator relationships that require new risk-management frameworks.
Energy constitutes another critical bottleneck. Iron-ore giants like LKAB estimate that they'll need up to 70 TWh of electricity by 2050 to decarbonise operations—a demand equivalent to 43 per cent of Sweden's 2024 electricity production. While northern Sweden currently enjoys a clean energy surplus, sustaining new mining and processing facilities—battery plants, green-steel factories—will likely strain infrastructure. Regional municipalities warn of fiscal pressures from roads, housing, healthcare, and social services required to support the influx of workers and capital.
Still, the picture is not all dire. Sweden benefits from a well-developed mining cluster—companies like Sandvik, Epiroc, ABB, Atlas Copco—that can commercialise automation and electrification tools globally. EU policy support and access to green finance offer a favourable environment for scaling sustainable operations. Sweden's ambition to become fossil-free in mining by 2035 sets a benchmark, potentially making it a trailblazer in low-carbon mineral production. (6)
In essence, Sweden's mining future hinges on balancing competing demands: meeting the urgent need for strategic minerals in the green transition while safeguarding indigenous rights, protecting ecosystems, modernising infrastructure, and reforming regulatory processes. If Sweden can reconcile these tensions, its mining industry could become a model of responsible growth, technological innovation, and resource sovereignty—transforming from a traditional mineral powerhouse into a globally respected standard‑bearer for sustainable mining in the 21st century.
FAQ Sweden Mining Industry
Why is Sweden considered a leader in Europe's mining sector?
Sweden holds a unique position as Europe's top producer of iron ore and a major source of key base metals like copper, zinc, and lead. It's mines—particularly LKAB's in Kiruna and Boliden's in Aitik and Garpenberg—produce high-grade ore using cutting-edge, sustainable technologies. With over 1,000 years of mining tradition, a skilled workforce, and a robust industrial ecosystem that includes global suppliers such as Sandvik and Epiroc, Sweden combines geological advantages with technical innovation. It also hosts over 90% of the EU's iron ore production, contributing significantly to the continent's raw material independence.
What are the main environmental and social challenges facing Swedish mining today?
While Sweden promotes sustainable and fossil-free mining, challenges remain. New mining projects often face resistance due to their potential impact on indigenous Sámi communities and sensitive ecosystems—especially in the north. The permitting process is complex and time-consuming, hindering swift responses to Europe's critical raw material needs. Additionally, mining's growing demand for clean electricity, water, and infrastructure poses strains on local municipalities already managing other green industrial projects. Reconciling economic growth with social and environmental responsibility is an ongoing balancing act.
What role will Sweden play in Europe's green transition and critical minerals supply?
Sweden is poised to play a crucial role in supplying Europe with minerals essential to clean technologies like electric vehicles, wind power, and batteries. Rare earth discoveries, such as the Per Geijer deposit near Kiruna, could provide nearly 18% of Europe's future demand for rare earth oxides. Combined with Sweden's plans to achieve fossil-free mining by 2035 and ongoing investments in automation, recycling, and low-emission smelting, the country is positioning itself as a strategic, sustainable supplier in Europe's drive for climate-neutral industrialisation (see also: Critical minerals strategy).
Takeaway
Sweden's mining industry remains a pillar of the national economy and a strategic asset for Europe's raw material security. As the world transitions to clean energy, Sweden is set to play a vital role in supplying critical minerals. Equally important is its leadership in mine technology: Swedish companies are advancing automation, electrification, and remote operations, setting new global benchmarks. With innovations like underground Wi-Fi, AI-assisted drilling, and fossil-free extraction goals, Sweden is not only extracting resources—it's shaping the future of sustainable mining through mine technology and intelligent systems integration.
Delve deeper into one of our core topics: Miner safety
Glossary
Fossil-free mining refers to the extraction, processing, and transportation of minerals without the use of fossil fuels, aiming for near-zero carbon emissions. This involves electrifying mining equipment, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and implementing circular practices such as recycling. Sweden leads this shift through companies like LKAB and Boliden, which target fossil-free operations by 2035. This approach supports climate goals while enhancing competitiveness in a low-carbon economy. (7)
References:
(1) Swedish Mining and Metalworking: Past and Present (Jernkontoret, 2011)
(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LKAB
(4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_in_Sweden
(7) Svemin (2023). The Green Transition Starts in the Mine. https://wwwsveminse.cdn.triggerfish.cloud/uploads/2023/04/svemin_the-green-transition-starts-in-the-mine-2023_highres.pdf
Note: This article was partly created with the assistance of artificial intelligence to support drafting. The head image was generated by AI.
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