The Rävlidmyren mine reclamation project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at restoring a decommissioned mine site. The project involves the remediation of mining waste left behind after the mine's closure and its consolidation into a long-term storage solution. The reclamation of the Rävmyrlid mine has been conducted as a collaborative effort with Skanska, focusing on finding intelligent solutions for the project's success. A close two-year collaboration between Boliden and Skanska has resulted in effective management and a high focus on the work environment.

Innovative Remediation

The first year of the project began with the dredging of a tarn in the mining area, which had been affected by metal emissions over a long period. The contaminated sediments were dredged and pumped into geotubes where the dredged masses were dewatered. The leachate from the geotubes was treated in the water-filled open pit. In addition to extensive remediation work during the first year, a plug was also cast in the old hoisting shaft, aiming to redirect rising water from the underground mine to the water-filled open pit, rather than into the environment.

To cover the remediated mining waste, a dense moraine that minimizes oxygen and water ingress was required. Moraine of the appropriate quality was secured from a quarry within the mining area. This moraine was placed over the remediated mining waste and compacted into a sealing layer. The compaction was performed until the quality requirements were met and verified with density meters. The laid layers were measured and quality assured in 3D models. A protective layer is applied to shield the sealing layer from erosion and frost heave. Eventually, both layer thicknesses and quality were secured before the onset of winter.