Pyhäsalmi Mine

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Pyhäsalmi Mine, the deepest metal mine in Europe^[1] (having depth of 1444 meters^[2]) is located at the Pyhäjärvi municipality in the south of Oulu province, Finland. The mine is owned by Inmet Mining, a Canadian mining corporation.

[edit] History

Old tower and surrounding buildings of Pyhäsalmi mine

In 1958 a local farmer discovered the ore deposit during a well construction. Shortly after a sample was delivered to Outokumpu Corporation for analysis a more thorough geological survey was commenced. Results showed that the area was very rich on minerals and therefore in 1959 a decicion was made to open a new mine in the area. After few years of construction the mine was opened on March 1, 1962.^[3]

Pyhäsalmi mine remained completely as an open pit until 1967, when underground mining operations started. In 1975 open pit mining was stopped. During the years the mine has been made gradually deeper. The so-called Olli Shaft was completed in 1985, making the mine 730 meters deep. New ore was however discovered deeper, and depth of 1050 meters was reached in 1996. Later a new shaft, called Timo Shaft was built to exploit the ore deposit between 1050 and 1440 meters. Timo Shaft's construction work completed in 2001.^[3]

Also the home of the sauna, located at the deepest in the world; 1440m underground. (Guinness World Records)