Behind the competition lies extensive work to minimise the risks in this very unique environment, says Emma Bystedt.
The orienteering takes place on Thursday morning, when no production is ongoing in the mine. The official inauguration of the Rävliden expansion will then be held with great fanfare in the evening. Guests at the ceremony will be shown a film featuring highlights from the race, followed by a prize ceremony.
– It’s going to be such great fun, says Emma Bystedt.
The course is about three kilometres long, and the 22 participants will traverse two levels of the mine.
– Extra excavation has been done in some of the ramps to reduce the risk of someone twisting an ankle. Behind the competition is extensive work to minimise risks in this very unique environment, Emma explains.
There are a number of safety barriers, and volunteers will help ensure the orienteers don’t get lost.
The initiative for Rävliden Ore Run comes from Frida Pettersson, project manager for the Rävliden expansion. In 2019, Emma Bystedt organised the Kankberg Gold Run in the Kankberg mine, which was a big success.
At that event, 200 people ran 3, 6 or 8 kilometres underground. Boliden CEO Mikael Staffas was among the competitors. Although he is a keen orienteer, he will not be on the start line this time.
The initiator of the Rävliden Ore Run is Frida Pettersson, who is the project manager for the Rävliden expansion.
The competition is arranged in collaboration with Lycksele IF, who made the map and placed the 24 control points. Orienteers from Lycksele IF are competing, along with participants from Skellefteå OK, Boliden SK, and OK Nolaskogen.
– Several of the participants also work or have previously worked at Boliden.
Down in the mine, it’s not possible to use a compass – one of the orienteer’s most essential tools.
Down in the mine, it's not possible to use a compass, which is otherwise one of the orienteer's most important tools.
– A compass works by reacting to the Earth’s magnetic field, but in a mine, several factors interfere with its function. So participants must rely entirely on the map, says Bystedt.
Mines contain large amounts of iron-rich minerals and other magnetic materials, which can create local magnetic fields and cause a compass to give false readings. Machinery and electrical systems in the mine can generate electromagnetic fields, further disrupting the compass needle. Thick layers of rock can also affect how the Earth's magnetic field reaches the orienteer’s position, making compasses unreliable.