![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Pyhasalmi_mine_old_tower_and_surroundings.jpg/640px-Pyhasalmi_mine_old_tower_and_surroundings.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Pyhäsalmi Mine
Zinc and copper mine in Finland / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pyhäsalmi Mine is the deepest base metal mine in Europe,[1] having a depth of 1,444 metres or 4,738 feet.[2]: 5 It is located at the Pyhäjärvi municipality in the south of Northern Ostrobothnia province, Finland. The zinc and copper mine is owned by First Quantum Minerals, a Canadian mining corporation.[3]
![]() Old tower and surrounding buildings of Pyhäsalmi mine | |
Location | |
---|---|
Location | Pyhäjärvi |
Region | Northern Ostrobothnia |
Country | Finland |
Coordinates | 63°39′31″N 26°02′28″E |
Production | |
Products | Copper, Zinc, pyrite, Silver, Gold |
Type | Underground |
History | |
Opened | March 1, 1962 (1962-03-01) |
The mine was due to be shut down in 2019, but due to an increase in demand for pyrite from Yara in Siilinjärvi, mining was extended to continue approximately 14 more months. Pyrite is a byproduct of copper and zinc mining. As of now, mining is going to be continued until spring 2021[needs update]. Above-ground refining will continue until 2025.[4]
Callio is a project to oversee the reuse of the Pyhäsalmi Mine once mining activities are halted permanently. The aim is to make the mine into a hospitable operating environment for businesses and an underground research facility. It is a joint project by the town of Pyhäjärvi and the University of Oulu.[5]