The Old Mine, Outokumpu

The Old Mine (Vanha Kaivos) is a unique industrial heritage site in the heart of Outokumpu, showcasing over a century of Finnish mining history and metal industry, as well as the life of the mining community. The site offers visitors an immersive experience where industrial aesthetics, historic buildings and the excitement of the underground world come together.

The extensive mining area consists of factory buildings, a winding tower, underground tunnels, engine halls and a museum, all of which tell the broad story of mining operations. Visitors can explore former production facilities, historic machinery, geology and the everyday life of miners — while the surrounding nature and bedrock serve as a reminder of mining’s origins.

The Old Mine now operates as a multidisciplinary centre for culture, tourism and events, attracting history enthusiasts, families with children, adventurers and event guests alike. The site offers permanent museum experiences, exhibitions, guided tours and opportunities for exploratory visits across the grounds during the summer season. It is also a popular venue for celebrations and events, a host site for festivals and markets, and a centre for geological learning.

As a whole, the Old Mine is a unique combination of industrial history, culture and experiential discovery — a place where the past is tangibly present and where visitors can explore the multi-layered world of the mine at their own pace.

ERIH Member

Vanha Kaivos
Tornikatu 1
83500 Outokumpu, Suomi

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Highlights

1920s icononic lift-tower –
30 meters of concrete!
Culture events in architectonic environment – Concerts and live events!
Underground mine with mine tunnels!
Enrichment plant and massive machines – Mineral enrichment history.

History

The history of the Outokumpu mine began with a significant copper discovery in 1910, which led to the birth of the modern Finnish mining industry. Mining started on a small scale but grew rapidly into an industrial complex, around which a thriving mining community developed.

Over the course of a century, underground tunnels, concentrating mills, winding towers and numerous industrial buildings were constructed on the mining site, becoming well-known landmarks of Outokumpu. Production evolved from copper extraction and concentration to broader metal processing. The internationally renowned Outokumpu Oy was born.

Active mining operations ceased in 1989, but the site’s cultural and industrial-historical value was preserved. The buildings, machinery and underground spaces were restored for museum use, and the Old Mine was opened to the public as a historical attraction, a place of learning and an event venue.

Today, the Old Mine is one of Finland’s most significant industrial heritage sites.