Benefits from enhanced infrastructure are expected to include more efficient transport and lower noise levels underground. The use of recycled water in the production process will increase, and water treatment will be improved. An application for a new environmental permit was submitted to Sweden’s Environmental Court in February 2011.

Garpenberg is one of the Boliden Group’s four mining areas. The deposits were first mined in the 1200s, which makes it Sweden’s oldest mine in current operation. Polymetallic ores containing zinc, silver, lead and smaller volumes of copper and gold are mined and processed by differential flotation. Copper and lead concentrates are shipped to Boliden’s smelter in Rönnskär, Sweden, while the zinc concentrate is shipped to its Kokkola and Odda smelters in Finland and Norway, respectively, and to other smelters on the European mainland.

In 2009, Garpenberg posted an operating profit of SEK793 million ($124 million). Production of metals in concentrates totaled 90,000 mt of zinc, 30,000 mt of lead, and 140 mt of silver.