This week we've been to Lapland, filming the Aitik copper mine, courtesy of Boliden AB. Our guide was assistant shift supervisor Sture Holmgren.
The mine is an ever-expanding and deepening hole in the mineral-bearing rock. Now 480 metres deep, it is expected to reach 800 metres before it is de-commissioned.
Although copper is the main product of the mine, there are also significant gold and silver deposits
The mine uses three models of extraction machinery. This Bucyrus 495BII electric rope shovel (right) is the only one in Europe. It is loading a Cat 793C.
Also the only ones in Europe, there are two P&H 4100 rope shovels (left) at the mine.
Another first (right): the first Komatsu PC5500 electric excavator in Europe.
Cat's largest wheeled loader: the 994F (left).
We have tried to show the whole mining process including rock extraction, drill rigs and blasting, transport on site, crushing, milling (right) and transport off site.
A regret? Yes. We didn't get to see the 60-year-old Marion 7400 dragline (left) in operation - though we were told that it is still used from time to time.
We were filming for the 3rd part of Old Pond's Massive Earthmoving Machines series. TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER. See Blog 24 August
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