A mine collapse at the Boliden-operated Garpenberg mine has left four workers injured and forced the evacuation of the facility due to ongoing seismic activity. The incident occurred over the weekend when unusual seismic activity triggered a rockfall, with the injured workers reportedly hurt by the pressure wave from the collapse.
Local residents have expressed concerns about the continued seismic events, with another tremor measuring magnitude 1.9 recorded on Wednesday afternoon. Mining company Boliden held an information meeting with concerned residents on Wednesday evening, just hours after the latest seismic event was detected.
The company has begun inspections of the evacuated mine but has stated it remains unclear when normal mining operations can resume. Residents are calling for more and faster information from the company about the seismic activity that many in the area can feel.
Eric Salomonsson, a local journalist, has been covering the developments, reporting on both the initial evacuation and the subsequent seismic events that continue to worry both residents and experts.