In the past, the municipality has received compensation in the form of money when buildings and infrastructure have been redeemed.
An agreement from 2014 gave, for example, 3.74 billion, which the municipality of Kiruna was free to use to rebuild what was lost due to the mining.
The urban transformation in Kiruna
The LKAB mine affects several critical buildings in Kiruna – could cost two billion
Silence from the government about Kiruna’s new railway
It has proven to be associated with risks when unforeseen costs have occurred. Suffice it to mention the future bath house which will cost well over a billion before it is finished.
“Not wise”
The new announcement about key to key is eagerly awaited by the municipal management. This means that LKAB replaces a building that has to be demolished with a new building with an equivalent function instead of money.
– This is great news that we have been calling for for a long time. It is not wise that such a small municipality has had to take such big risks when the mine needs to be developed, says municipal councilor Mats Taaveniku (S).
Stefan Hämäläinen, director of community development at LKAB, is on the same line.
– We secure timetables and quality in this way. The municipality is probably burdened as it is and we are good at building, he says.