Photo and Video
Photos
Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The front of the tidewater glacier in Magdalenefjorden, north on Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Smeerenburgfjorden, Svalbard. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Walros on the beach in Smeerenburg, Amsterdam Island, Svalbard. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Glacier in the inner part of Magdalenefjorden, Svalbard. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Arctic Ocean north of Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Smeerenburgfjorden, Svalbard. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Arctic fox. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Nordenskiöld Glacier, Billefjorden, Svalbard. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Walros, Amsterdam Island, Svalbard. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The Governor's cabin at Gravneset, Magdalenefjorden, is one of the northernmost buildings in the world. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The exit of Russian ore from the European market spurs a growing demand for companies such as Sydvaranger, GRANGEX leader Christer Lindquist argues. Photo: Elizaveta Vereykina
Sydvaranger workers and journalists gathered while the company leader talked about the acquisition of the Sydvaranger iron ore mine. Photo: Elizaveta Vereykina
The Sydvaranger mine became the local cornerstone industry when it opened in 1908. It remained so until the company bankrupted in 1997. Australian developer Northern Iron reopened the mine in 2009, but it was again closed in 2015. Photo: Elizaveta Vereykina
The logo of the Sydvaranger mine
“We would not have been here today without Felix Tschudi,” GRANGEX leader Lindquist says about the former owner of the Sydvaranger Mine. Photo: Elizaveta Vereykina
“Russian ore must be replaced in Europe,” Lindquist says. “There is a deficit in the market, and we must increase our level of self-sufficiency,” he adds.
A full-scale relaunch of mining at Sydvaranger is believed to require up to 450 jobs. There is hardly any unemployment in the municipality and the recruitment of the many new people will not be easy, Chief Operating Officer Thomas Bækø admits. Photo: Elizaveta Vereykina
Sydvaranger employee at the gates leading to the main building. Photo: Elizaveta Vereykina
“The way I see it, the biggest challenge is not technical issues - the mine and processing plant are in good shape - but rather issues of competence and people,” Chief Operating Officer Thomas Bækø says to the Barents Observer.
“The product is world-class and we have all preconditions for success,” the company leader underlined as he today announced the acquisition of the Sydvaranger iron ore mine. Photos: Elizaveta Vereykina
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Photo: rkomi.ru
Quest for freedom and love. Norwegians and Russians gather in border town Kirkenes for Barents Pride.
Leonid Belyakov served as a driver for the 200th Motorised Rifle Brigade. He came from the town of Nikel.
Maksim Salnikov came from the town of Nikel. He served in the Wagner Group and was killed in the battle over Bakhmut in April 2023.
Nikolai Ulyanov came from Zapolyarny. He served for the Wagner Group and was killed in May 2023
Artur Rarykin came from Nikel. He served as sailor in the Northern Fleet and was killed in May 2023.
Vladimir Ivanov came from Nikel. He was killed in spring 2023
Andrei Baranov came from Nikel and served as junior sergeant. He was killed in spring 2023.
Andrei Prokhorov came from Zapolyarny and used to work as driver for the Nornickel mining company. He was killed in early April 2023.
Nikita Sidyakin came from Zapolyarny. He was killed in April 2022.
Andrei Ukhov came from Nikel. He was killed in June 2023.
Dinar Khametov used to live in Zapolyarny. He was a highly decorated officer in the 200th Motorized Rifle Brigade and was killed in November 2022.
Mikhail Kosarev came from Zapolyarny.
Andrei Kolesnikov came from Zapolyarny. He served for the Wagner Group and was killed in November 2022.
Aleksandr Gaukhman came from Zapolyarny. He served for the Wagner Group and was killed in March 2023.
Andrei Chistyakov came from Zapolyarny. He was killed in March 2023.
Sergei Korneev came from Nikel. He was killed in March 2023.
Mikael Aliev (left) used to live in Zapolyarny where he worked as miner for Nornickel. He was killed in June 2023
Aleksandr Martynov (right) came from Zapolyarny and used to work in the local nickel mines. He was killed in early summer 2023.
Videos
Sámi artist and activist Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen was one of the artists performing at the Riddu Riđđu festival in Manndalen in northern Norway, which took place July 10-13. The Barents Observer met with her during the festival to talk about what fuels her activism and the key issues she sees facing the Sámi People right now.
Finnmarksløpet is the longest sled dog race in Europe. It has been held annually since 1981, with the exception of 2021 when it was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
