economy
December 29, 2025
FOTO Šveđani sele ceo grad, zgradu po zgradu, a sve zbog širenja rudnika
Na krajnjem severu Švedske, 145 kilometara unutar Arktičkog kruga, odvija se jedna od najradikalnijih urbanih transformacija na svetu – čitav grad Kiruna seli se na novu lokaciju.
TL;DR
- Kiruna, located 145 km inside the Arctic Circle, is being moved to a new site three kilometers east due to land subsidence caused by the expansion of the world's largest underground iron ore mine.
- The relocation project is expected to be completed by 2035 and involves moving thousands of residents and buildings.
- LKAB, the state-owned company operating the mine, also recently discovered one of Europe's largest deposits of rare earth metals, reinforcing its strategic importance for raw materials in the green transition.
- Challenges include securing greater financial support from the state, acquiring additional land for construction, and addressing concerns about the impact on reindeer herding and the indigenous Sami culture.
- A notable engineering feat involved the relocation of the 113-year-old city church, weighing nearly 700 tons.
- LKAB offers residents market value for their properties plus 25%, or a new home, with most opting for new houses.
- Land acquisition is complicated by state ownership and conflicts with reindeer herding, defense interests, and nature protection.
- The EU has recognized LKAB's rare earth metal deposit as strategically important under the Critical Raw Materials Act.
- Residents express sadness over lost memories but understand the city's reliance on mining.
- Concerns exist that the new city center may be up to 10 degrees Celsius colder in winter due to its mesh layout, tall buildings, and narrow streets, potentially impacting comfort and material integrity.
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