Swedish developer buys iron ore mine in Kirkenes

The exit of Russian ore from the European market spurs a growing demand for companies such as Sydvaranger, GRANGEX leader Christer Lindquist argues. Photo: Elizaveta Vereykina

Sydvaranger workers and journalists gathered while the company leader talked about the acquisition of the Sydvaranger iron ore mine. Photo: Elizaveta Vereykina

The Sydvaranger mine became the local cornerstone industry when it opened in 1908. It remained so until the company bankrupted in 1997. Australian developer Northern Iron reopened the mine in 2009, but it was again closed in 2015. Photo: Elizaveta Vereykina

The logo of the Sydvaranger mine

“We would not have been here today without Felix Tschudi,” GRANGEX leader Lindquist says about the former owner of the Sydvaranger Mine. Photo: Elizaveta Vereykina

“Russian ore must be replaced in Europe,” Lindquist says. “There is a deficit in the market, and we must increase our level of self-sufficiency,” he adds.

A full-scale relaunch of mining at Sydvaranger is believed to require up to 450 jobs. There is hardly any unemployment in the municipality and the recruitment of the many new people will not be easy, Chief Operating Officer Thomas Bækø admits. Photo: Elizaveta Vereykina

Sydvaranger employee at the gates leading to the main building. Photo: Elizaveta Vereykina

“The way I see it, the biggest challenge is not technical issues - the mine and processing plant are in good shape - but rather issues of competence and people,” Chief Operating Officer Thomas Bækø says to the Barents Observer.