Inside Sweden’s copper mega-mine | DW News

Summary

This video takes viewers deep into Europe’s largest open-pit copper mine in Northern Sweden, showcasing the massive machinery and impressive scale of operations. Follow Sophie Vrom as she drives a Caterpillar 795F truck, transporting hundreds of tons of rock for copper extraction. The mining process involves enormous excavators, chemical processing, and energy-intensive mills, yet the company emphasizes sustainability, using renewable hydroelectric power and transitioning to electric hybrid trucks. With over half the drivers being women, the mine challenges traditional stereotypes while demonstrating advanced technology and environmental responsibility in producing high-quality, low-carbon-footprint copper for Europe’s high-tech industries.

Takeaways

• ⛏️ Europe's largest open-pit copper mine is located in Northern Sweden, employing massive trucks and excavators to extract copper.
• 🚚 Sophie Vrom drives a Caterpillar 795F, one of the largest trucks in the world, with 3,400 horsepower, capable of transporting 600 tons of rock per trip.
• 🎓 To drive these trucks, operators must be at least 21 years old, have a standard driver's license for 3 years, and complete on-site training.
• 🛣️ The mine's roads are steep and constantly changing, making navigation challenging even for experienced drivers.
• 💥 Massive explosions occur monthly to loosen new layers of rock, enabling ongoing extraction of copper-rich material.
• 🏭 The extracted rock is transported via conveyor belts to the world's largest stone mill, where it undergoes chemical processing to concentrate copper.
• ⚡ The mine and its refining factories consume huge amounts of energy, but primarily rely on 100% renewable electricity, including nearby hydroelectric power.
• 👩‍🏭 Over half of the 60 truck drivers at the mine are women, challenging stereotypes about mining being a male-dominated profession.
• ⛽ Each truck's fuel tank holds over 7,000 liters of diesel, enough to power a house for a year, though hybrid and electric solutions are being introduced.
• 🌱 By 2030, all trucks and mine services aim to be fully electric, producing virtually CO2-free 'green copper' powered entirely by renewable energy.

Q & A

Where is Europe's largest open-pit copper mine located?

It is located in Northern Sweden.

What type of truck does Sophie Vrom drive in the mine?

She drives a Caterpillar 795F, one of the biggest trucks in the world.

What are the requirements to obtain a driver's license for these massive trucks?

You must be at least 21 years old, have held a car driver's license for at least 3 years, and complete on-site training provided by the company.

How much rock can the truck transport per trip?

The truck can transport 600 tons of rock per trip.

What is the capacity of the mine's largest excavator?

The P&H 4100 C10 excavator can carry 60 to 80 tons of rock per load.

How is copper extracted from the mined rock?

The rock is placed in water basins for chemical processing to separate copper from other substances, and then refined through several steps to increase copper concentration from 0.2% to 25%.

What percentage of the production consists of copper?

More than 99% of the production consists of copper, with small amounts of silver and gold.

How is the mine minimizing its carbon footprint?

The factories use electricity from 100% renewable sources, such as a nearby hydroelectric plant, and the trucks are transitioning to electric hybrid engines powered by renewable energy.

What is the current fuel capacity of Sophie’s truck and how long can it operate per tank?

The truck can hold over 7,000 liters of diesel, enough to run for 32 hours per tank load.

What percentage of the mine’s truck drivers are women?

Over half of the 60 drivers at the mine are women.

What future changes are planned for the trucks to make them more environmentally friendly?

By 2030, all trucks and service vehicles will be electric, marketed as green copper, virtually CO2-free, and powered entirely by renewable energy.

Why is navigation challenging within the mine?

The mine constantly changes due to new explosions and shifting rock layers, so routes are frequently altered, making it easy to get disoriented after a break.