Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani

The Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani ( Snsk ) also simplifies Store Norske, is a Norwegian coal mining company based on the island of Spitsbergen. It was founded in 1916 and took over the possessions of the Norwegian Spitsbergensyndikats, which had previously acquired the Arctic Coal Company by the American John Munroe Longyear. Among the possessions of the company was also practically the whole settlement Longyearbyen. However, these were sold to a large extent since the introduction of political self-determination rights and the transition from a pure mining settlement to a village with tourism and education.

The company employs 360 people and operates two coal mines. The larger is located near the settlement of Sveagruva, about 60 km south of Longyearbyen. In the Svea Nord mine three million tons of coal to be promoted. The mine is estimated to contain 72.5 million tons of coal, of which 32 million are commercially degradable.

The coal seam is 3 through 5.5 meters thick, which is an enormously efficient degradation possible. It is assumed that the lead can remain at least 25 years in operation.

The second mine, Gruve 7, located about 15 km southeast of Longyearbyen. She is the last of the seven pits around the capital of the island group in which coal is still encouraged. The mine is in operation since 1975 and employs approximately 20 employees. Approximately one-third of their revenue is used in Longyearbyen coal power plant to power the island.

The company has a total of 316 claims for the mining rights of coal in Svalbard. These claims are awarded by the Norwegian mine inspector and entitle the holder to exclusive mining of mineral resources in an area. Since the entry into force of the Spitzberg contract is to be paid per claim an annual fee of 6000 NOK, but about half of the claims of the Store Norske are older than the Svalbard Treaty. In addition to coal, zinc, copper, gold, lead and other minerals are suspected in some of the occupied territories of Claims.

Store Norske plans to open a new coal mine in Lunckefjell. This planned mining site is located immediately north of the currently in-use mine Svea Nord. The local coal deposits is estimated at eight million tons of coal. On 22 December 2011, the Norwegian competent ministries have approved the opening of the planned coal mine in Lunckefjell. The schedule provides that mined coal in the years 2014-2018 in Lunckefjell and 2019, the area is rehabilitated.