Falun copper mine – industrial heritage in mining futures

• The Falun copper mine is an industrial heritage site locatedin middle Sweden. Mining began here in the 8th century AD. Over a thousand years later, in 1992, the mine was closed and in 2001 Unesco declared it a world heritage site. Eight years later the Australian company Drake Resources started prospect drilling, right in the middle of the world heritage area, to investigate the possibilities for re-opening the mine again. This development is not unique. Rising world market prices for raw materials in recent years is driving a mining boom, in which companies seek licenses for prospecting and mining in increasingly remote locations, as well as in national parks and cultural heritage sites. World heritage sites are not excluded. From Cornwall to Falun, prospecting and mining companies attempt to reopen mining operations in world heritage sites where the historical remains that form the bases of the sites are a result of a long history of mining. This has led to a discussion within global heritage organisations such as TICCIH and ICOMOS, on how to deal with this development – are new mining operations in historical mining districts only a problem or could it also be seen as a resource, an activity representing continuity rather than destruction?The objective of this article is to describe the developmentof prospecting activities and mining plans at the Falu coppermine world heritage site and its possible consequences. What prospecting activities have taken place at the Falu copper mine after Unesco inscribed it on the world heritage list and why? How has local media and the organizations managing and protecting, responded to these plans andactivities and why? What could be the consequences of renewedmining operations at Falun?

Subject headings

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi -- Teknikhistoria (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology -- History of Technology (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi -- Historia (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology -- History (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Annan humaniora -- Övrig annan humaniora (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Other Humanities -- Other Humanities not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Industrial Heritage

Mining

World Heritage

Falun Copper Mine

TICCIH

ICOMOS

Historiska studier av teknik, vetenskap och miljö

History of Science, Technology and Environment

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kap (subject category)