Mining in the Sotkamo region Kalevi Rasilainen Geological Survey of Finland
Mining industry in Finland 2013
Mines Turnover (M€)
Employees
Metals
12
1059
2280
Industrial minerals
27
413
740
Other
7
Total
46
400
~1500
3400 Source: Ministry of Employment and the Economy 2014. The Mining Industry. Sector Report 2/2014
Mining in the Sotkamo region / Rasilainen
16.9.2015
2
Links with other branches and actors • • •
Financing Energy production Habitation • Infrastructure • Other industry branches • Services • Transport services • Equipment providers • Subcontrating • Civil Service (govenrment) • Research and education
Mining in the Sotkamo region / Rasilainen
16.9.2015
3
Mines in Finland •
Mining history in Finland goes back at least to the 1500s • First mine was Ojamo iron mine in Lohja (several phases in1533–1863) • More than 400 mines have operated in Finland, at least 78 since 1900 • Some important mines: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Outokumpu Cu, Co (1910–1989) Petsamo Ni, Cu (1936–1944) Otanmäki Fe, V, Ti (1949–1985) Vihanti Zn, Cu (1952–1992) Kotalahti Ni (1957–1987) Luikonlahti Co, Cu (1958–1983) Pyhäsalmi Zn, Cu (1959–) Hitura Ni (1965–1985, 1988–2008, 2010–) Kemi Cr (1966–) Vuonos Cu, Co, Ni, Zn (1967–1986) Stormi Ni, Cu (1974–1995) Mustavaara V (1974–1985) Laukunkangas Ni (1984–1994) Kittilä Au (2006–) Talvivaara Ni, Zn (2008–) Kevitsa Ni, Cu (2011–)
Mining in the Sotkamo region / Rasilainen
16.9.2015
4
Mine production of metals through history • •
Finnish mines have produced over 2 Mt Cu, 3 Mt Zn, 0.4 Mt Ni, 19 Mt Fe, 7 Mt Cr, 72 t Au The selection of metals mined in Finland has changed over time. –
1500 – 1900s: Small amounts of copper and iron
–
Late 1920s: Copper production increased
–
Late 1930s: Zinc production increased
–
Early 1950s: Iron production increased
–
Early 1960s: Nickel production increased
–
Late 1960s: Chromium production increased
–
•
•
•
1 000 000 Fe (t) 800 000
Cr (t)
600 000 400 000 200 000 0 1900
1920
1940
1960
1980
2000
1920
1940
1960
1980
2000
1920
1940
1960
1980
2000
80 000
Cu (t) 60 000
Zn (t) Ni (t)
40 000
Late 1980s: Gold production increased
Iron dominated the tonnages mined from the mid1950s until the end of iron mining in Finland in 1988.
20 000
0 1900 10
By the end of the 20th century, mining volumes of all the base metals had significantly decreased due to the closure of several major mines.
9
Only chromium production had continued to increase steadily.
3
Mining in the Sotkamo region / Rasilainen
8
Au (t)
7 6
5 4 2
1 0 1900
16.9.2015
5
Time span of mining operation
•
•
At least 78 metal mines have been discovered since 1900 Average time from discovery to operation has increased from
