Photo: Mining Engineer Gunnar Aasgaard

The Ore Processing Plant at Högberget

The ore processing plant at Högberget was built after the auditors noted in 1899 that the company’s ore reserves needed to be increased. No new deposits could be found at the time, and it was therefore proposed to make use of the large waste rock heaps at the mine fields.

On 1 December 1899, the company assembly resolved to present a proposal for a steam-powered processing plant. The very next day the proposal was adopted and 70,000 kronor was granted for its construction.

On 29 June 1900, engineer John Andersson was commissioned to erect the plant north of the railway.

Operation and Production

The plant was not run during the winter months and was usually in operation 9 months per year, with 10-hour shifts per day.

Between 1901 and 1908, a total of 46,854.3 tonnes of raw material passed through the plant.

Below images 8–12 (on your page) there are factual details about the operation as well as accounts of the ”mineralogical and petrographical nature of the waste rock heaps at the Högberg field”.

Expansion and Relocation

Production did not meet expectations, and already in 1902 the plant was expanded. To increase profitability, waste rock from the Odal field also began to be processed.

Transport costs from there were, however, high. When in addition the waste rock at Högberget began to run out, the board resolved in 1908 to relocate the processing plant to the newly built separation plant at the Odal field.

Steam Power or Electricity?

The auditors had early reservations about the choice of steam power, citing uncertain and rising coal prices.

Engineer C.J. Nilsson in Blombacka was therefore commissioned to investigate whether water power could suffice for the operation. The investigation showed, however, that sufficient water power was not available.

It was therefore decided to purchase a 55 horsepower steam engine from Munktells Mechanical Workshop in Eskilstuna.

The auditors continued nonetheless to advocate the advantage of ”abundant power, supplied by electrical means”. Already in 1900, C.J. Nilsson was commissioned to investigate the possibility of obtaining electrical power from the waterfalls at Saxån, but this was not considered feasible at the time.

In 1903 a new investigation was carried out which showed that deliveries should be possible from the Älvestorp power station. A contract was drawn up for the supply of 300 horsepower for the period 1905–1930.

Sources

Commemorative publication: Persbergs Gruve Aktiebolag 1866–1920
Harald Carlborg, Persbergs Malmtrakt
C.J. Nilsson’s investigation (Värmlandsarkiv)

Gunnar Aasgaard

Gunnar Aasgaard was a Norwegian mining engineer who made study trips to Sweden in 1907 and 1915.

The photograph you mention came to you via Jan Kruse and his contact in Trondheim, Rune Moseng – and there is undeniably something special about a photograph finding its way ”home” to Persberg again after 117 years.