Sweco Helps LKAB Secure the Permit to Relocate the City of Kiruna
Published 2011-03-15 22:43:17
In 2008 LKAB, the operator of the world’s largest underground mine: Kirunavaara-Luossavaara iron mine decided to extend their operations down to a deeper level at 1,365 meters. The mine is located adjacent to the City of Kiruna with an estimated population of 19,000.
Deformation from mining underground is currently impacting the structures close to the mine area. The City of Kiruna will be moved in stages further and further away from the mine as the zone of deformation expands to the northeast closer to the current city.
To be able to extend the mining operations from the current level at 1,045 meters down to the new level at 1,365 meters, approximately 0.8 km2 of the 2.2 km2 large Lake Luossajärvi must be drained. Additionally, a new outlet from Lake Luossajärvi must be constructed to the north of the lake connecting with Pahtajoki creek, replacing the current outlet to the south into Luossajoki creek.
A major engineering challenge will be the draining of Lake Luossajärvi, where a 12 m high and 1,800 m long earthfill dam (till) will be constructed across the southern portion of the lake. About four million m3 of water will be pumped out on the south side of the dam facing the mine.
After submitting the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to the Swedish Environment Court the final negotiations between LKAB and the Court were completed on 7th December, 2010, upon which the Court gave LKAB the approval to proceed.
A Sweco team lead by Olof Lundborg assisted LKAB with the relocation plan, design of the dam and the new outlet for the Lake Luossajärvi, and the lake drainage plan. Sweco assisted LKAB with professionals in environmental, water management and dam construction experience during the hearing in the Environmental Court.
Sweco is an engineering and environmental consulting firm with 5,500 employees with offices throughout the Nordic region, Eastern Europe and Russia. The headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden.
