Sandvik Automated Fleet Drives Viscaria Copper Mine Restart in Northern Sweden

The Viscaria copper mine in northern Sweden is set to restart production after a 31-year dormancy, thanks to an automated fleet supplied by Sandvik.

The mine's revival comes as Europe faces a structural copper supply deficit, driven by growing demand for the metal in industries such as electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure. The Kiruna region, where the mine is located, has a legacy of deep underground production experience, with existing heavy infrastructure and an established mining workforce.

Restarting a mine that has been idle for so long presents significant technical challenges, including assessing the structural integrity of existing tunnels and shafts, geotechnical re-mapping of the orebody, ventilation system recommissioning, and dewatering. The pre-production feasibility milestones planned for 2025 and 2026 aim to de-risk these unknowns before major capital equipment is committed.

The Sandvik automated fleet will comprise four DL432i longhole drills, four Toro LH621i loaders, the AutoMine Multi-Lite platform, rock tools, and a comprehensive lifecycle service contract. The equipment selection was driven by the need for precision in sublevel stoping, a dominant mining method in high-grade underground copper operations.