Location: Falun, Dalarna province Map
The Great Copper Mountain, or Stora Kopparberget in Swedish, refers to the historic Falun Mine in Falun, Dalarna region, central Sweden. This ancient copper mine operated for over a millennium, from around the 10th century until its closure in 1992, making it one of the world's oldest and most influential mining sites. It was a cornerstone of Sweden's economy, supplying up to two-thirds of Europe's copper during its 17th-century peak and funding the nation's rise as a great power. The site encompasses not just the mine but a vast cultural landscape, including the town of Falun and surrounding miners' settlements, reflecting centuries of industrial, social, and technological evolution. In 2001, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria (ii), (iii), and (v) for its profound influence on global mining technology, its enduring industrial remains, and its illustration of economic shifts from cottage industry to full-scale production. Today, it serves as a museum and educational center, preserving Sweden's mining heritage while highlighting environmental lessons from long-term resource extraction.
Mining at Stora Kopparberget likely began around AD 1000, with
archaeological evidence confirming operations by AD 1080, though no
large-scale activity predates AD 850. Early efforts were small-scale,
conducted by local farmers who extracted and smelted ore for personal
use. By the late 13th century, during King Magnus III's reign
(1275–1290), the mine professionalized with involvement from Swedish
nobles and German merchants from Lübeck, who introduced advanced
techniques. The earliest written record is from 1288, when the Bishop of
Västerås acquired a 12.5% stake. However, sedimentary archives from
nearby lakes like Runn suggest a rapid onset of large-scale mining
around AD 1245, marked by sharp increases in pollution indicators like
copper and lead, aligning with the broader expansion of Bergslagen's
metal industry.
In the mid-14th century, under King Magnus IV, the
1347 charter formalized operations, creating a shareholder system among
free miners—often cited as a precursor to modern joint-stock companies.
The 17th century was the mine's zenith, with production peaking at over
3,000 tonnes of copper in 1650, funding Sweden's military campaigns. A
pivotal event was the 1687 Midsummer's Eve collapse, where unstable
shafts formed the massive Great Pit (Stora Stöten), over 100 meters
deep; no fatalities occurred due to the holiday timing—one of only two
annual days off for miners.
Decline set in during the 18th century,
with output dropping to about 1,000 tonnes annually by the early 1700s.
Diversification followed, including iron, timber, and Falu red paint
production. Gold discovery in 1881 triggered a brief rush, yielding 5
tonnes total. The mine closed on December 8, 1992, due to economic
unviability. Its corporate descendant, Stora Enso, is among the world's
oldest active companies. Recent X posts from 2025 highlight its enduring
legacy, noting Stora Kopparberg's ancient corporate roots and preserved
miners' homes.
The Falun Mine's geology features sulfide-rich ore bodies, primarily
copper-bearing with impurities like pyrite, enabling significant
extractions and scientific advancements. Sedimentary records from lakes
such as Runn reveal environmental markers, including elevated trace
metals (copper, lead, zinc, arsenic) from AD 1245, with lead isotope
shifts indicating pollution from mining activities. The site's
instability, due to extensive shafts and drifts, culminated in collapses
like the 1687 event.
Mine samples contributed to element discoveries:
tantalum in 1802 by Anders Ekeberg; selenium in 1817 by Jöns Jakob
Berzelius and Johann Gottlieb Gahn from pyrite; and thorium, initially
misidentified by Berzelius in 1815 (later corrected to yttrium
phosphate), with the name reused in 1829. Notable residents included
Nils Gabriel Sefström (vanadium discoverer) and Gahn (manganese
discoverer). Environmental impacts persist, with heavy metal
contamination in soils and lakes, where mercury levels exceed guidelines
in many areas.
Extraction relied on fire-setting: fires heated rock overnight to
crack it, followed by manual breaking with tools, advancing about 1
meter monthly. This German-influenced method persisted for seven
centuries until the late 19th century. Ore was roasted in open hearths
to remove sulfur, emitting toxic smoke, then smelted repeatedly to
produce crude copper. Transport involved short relays with hand barrows,
often by novices in harsh conditions.
Carl Linnaeus described the
mine as "horrible as hell itself," with miners enduring soot, fumes,
heat, and rickety ladders. The 1347 charter organized free miners, but
lack of comprehensive mapping heightened risks. German technology
influenced early drainage and fire-setting, later impacting global
practices for two centuries.
Stora Kopparberget was Sweden's economic powerhouse, dominating Europe's copper supply and funding 17th-century wars. Peak output reached 3,000 tonnes in 1650, declining to 1,000 tonnes by the early 18th century. It held a near-monopoly, rivaled only by distant Japan. Diversification into iron, timber, and paint sustained operations post-decline. The site's evolution from cottage industry to industrial scale shaped Sweden's socio-economic framework.
The mine influenced worldwide mining technology, evolving from German methods to a global model. In 1690, it was dubbed Europe's "mother" for copper production. Its shareholder model pioneered corporate structures. UNESCO recognizes the site for its industrial monuments, including the Great Pit, town fabric, and miners' estates in Bergsmansbygden.
The mine shaped Dalarna's society, with free miners building prosperous estates. Harsh conditions fostered endurance, social drinking, and folklore, like the miraculous 1687 collapse timing. Linnaeus's vivid accounts influenced literary views. Portraits and artifacts preserve personal histories from the 17th century.
Owned by the Stora Kopparberget foundation, the site is a museum attracting 100,000 visitors annually. Tours explore the Great Pit and tunnels, while the Mining Museum—rebuilt from a 1770s structure—displays models, tools, and historical portraits. Preservation is governed by Swedish laws like the Historic Environment Act, with a Management Plan and World Heritage Council ensuring integrity. Remediation addresses lingering pollution, emphasizing sustainability.