Europe's largest reserve of rare earth metals has been found in Kiruna iron ore mine, Sweden

Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 12 October 2014 at 05:12:29 UTC
Sentinel-2 MSI acquired on 22 August 2015 at 10:40:36 UTC
Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 22 May 2023 at 05:13:06 UTC
Sentinel-2 MSI acquired on 22 May 2023 at 10:36:31 UTC
Author(s): Sentinel Vision team, VisioTerra, France - svp@visioterra.fr
Keyword(s): Climate change, renewable energy, natural resources, iron mine, rare earth, urban planning, Sweden
Fig. 1 - S1 (12.10.2014) - Northernmost city in Sweden, Kiruna has been founded in 1900 to exploit the largest iron mine of the country.
3D view
In 2004, it was decided that the present centre of the municipality would have to be relocated to counter mining-related subsidence. The moving of the town was started in 2014 and the plan describes a process that continues to 2100.
Fig. 2 - S2 (22.08.2015 / S2 (22.05.2023) - The mine galleries have grown, reaching the border of the city and creating subsidence.
3D view 3D view
Mineral resources of rare earth metals exceeding one million tonnes of rare earth oxides has been found next to Kiruna iron ore mine, far north in Arctic Sweden. The deposit contains praseodymium or neodymium oxides, materials which are used to produce the special magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines.
Fig. 3 - S1 (12.10.2014 / 22.05.2023) - The development of the mine has forced a part of the city to relocate at east of the area.
3D view 3D view
Exceeding more than 1 million tonnes of rare earth oxides, it is the largest known deposit of its kind in Europe. It could supply a substantial part of Europe's needs, reducing its dependence on China.
The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency or the European Union.
Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2024, processed by VisioTerra.
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