Sandvik has secured a contract to provide an automated underground mining fleet and comprehensive lifecycle services for the reopening of the Viscaria copper mine in Kiruna, Sweden. The agreement marks a major step in the redevelopment of one of northern Europe’s most important copper mining projects and reinforces Sandvik’s long-term partnership with Gruvaktiebolaget Viscaria.
Under the agreement, Sandvik will deliver four DL432i longhole drills and four Toro LH621i underground loaders. All machines will operate through the AutoMine Multi-Lite automation platform, enabling full fleet integration and centralized operational control. In addition to the mining equipment, the contract includes the supply of rock tools and a complete lifecycle service package. Sandvik will also establish a dedicated on-site service organization at the Viscaria mine to ensure reliable fleet performance and operational support throughout the project.
The order was recorded during the third quarter of 2026. Equipment deliveries are scheduled to begin in January 2027 and continue until August 2027, allowing the mine to prepare for commercial production over the following years.
Jörgen Olsson, CEO of Gruvaktiebolaget Viscaria, said the agreement strengthens the company's collaboration with Sandvik and provides access to advanced mining equipment, digital technologies, and a specialized support team. He noted that these capabilities will play an important role in preparing the mine for production and ensuring efficient operations during the development phase.
The Viscaria mine has a long history in Sweden’s mining sector. It operated from 1982 until 1997 before closing because of a prolonged decline in global copper prices. Gruvaktiebolaget Viscaria acquired the project in 2019 and has since worked to restore the site for modern mining operations. Copper production is expected to resume in 2028, while full-scale commercial output is targeted for 2029.
Once fully operational, the mine is expected to produce approximately 26,000 metric tons of copper annually, making it Sweden’s second-largest copper producer. The project is expected to strengthen domestic copper supply and support Europe's growing demand for the metal, particularly from the renewable energy, electric vehicle, and power infrastructure sectors.
Patrick Murphy, President of Mining at Sandvik, said successful mining projects depend on strong partnerships established well before production begins. He noted that Sandvik has worked closely with the Viscaria team since 2020 and looks forward to supplying automation technology, underground equipment, rock tools, and lifecycle services to help unlock the mine’s long-term production potential.
Impact on Product and ChemAnalyst Chemical Prices
The reopening of the Viscaria copper mine is expected to strengthen long-term copper concentrate availability in Europe, although the impact on supply will remain limited until production begins in 2028. Increased future copper output could improve raw material availability for manufacturers of electrical equipment, renewable energy systems, and electric vehicles. For chemical markets tracked by ChemAnalyst, the immediate price impact is expected to be negligible because the mine is still under development. Over the longer term, improved copper supply may reduce production costs for copper-dependent industries, while prices of major petrochemicals and bulk chemicals are likely to remain largely unaffected by this project alone.
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