Saturday, December 24, 2005

Kiruna: (Iron ore mine)

LKAB iron ore mine in Kiruna is the world's largest underground mine. Underneath the 2 step hill is the mine.



"God Jul" lit up on the mining office means Merry Christmas



Within the mine is a huge network of roads, so many that one can get easily get lost. The bus that we took into the mine.



Due to the huge demand for iron worldwide, especially in booming China, Kiruna's iron ore mine is doing very well. In fact they are increasing the number of employees and is one of the major employer in the small Kiruna community.

The iron ore is transported by train to either Narvik in Norway or Lulea. Narvik is favoured cos the warm Gulf stream result in the Norwegian Sea not freezing up in winter.



The kiruna iron ore mine has certainly come a long way. Compared to the days in the past where miners work in dirty and dangerous environment...



Nowadays the miners work in clean and safe environments. In fact, some loading operations are now completely remote controlled from far away. Like what the guide said, the miners no longer need to subject themselves to loud drilling noises and can listen to music while they remote-control machines as if they are playing computer games.



The safety record of the mine is also very impressive. No serious injuries like loss of limbs or deaths for many many years. Most injuries they have nowadays are just bruises when the workers trip and fall on the rocky surface. It's just amazingly safe and conducive to work in Kiruna's iron ore mine.



Our hostel had a crazy Portuguese man whose mental health is seriously questionable. He had been boiling pots and pots of food for the past few nights. He used up all the pots(4-5) in the kitchen boiling food that turned out to look disgusting.



Kiruna kyrka(town church) that resemble the shape of a lappish tent.



Inside the church



A tower beside the church



Central part of town lit up by simple christmas lights



Forest near the town

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