The world's largest underground iron ore mine is located in Kiruna. LKAB, the mine operator, has approved the opening of a new main level at a depth of 1365 metres. The ore body is shaped like a slice lying at a slant that slopes down at a 60° angle in the bedrock underneath the city. The deformation is moving towards the city centre at a rate of 40 meters per year and will make a large part of the city uninhabitable within 20 years.
Therefore it has been decided that the city centre must move to a new location 3 kilometres east of the city's existing centre. Within the affected area there are 3.200 homes, 750 hotel beds, the entire city centre's commercial district, the majority of public institutions including schools, the hospital, library, the church and around 1.000 jobs. No less than 33% of central Kiruna's population must move - around 6,000 people.
The transformation of Kiruna has already started. The railway line has been moved and the old railway station has been closed. A few historical buildings will be moved to a new location including the wooden church. A new city hall is under construction and is due to open in spring 2018. The landmark clock tower from the old square shaped city hall has been grounded and is now placed in front of the new circular shaped city hall.
