KIRUNA, Sweden, Aug 21, 2025 – The Kiruna Church has been safely relocated to a new city center as part of a infrastructure project tied to the expansion of LKAB’s Kiruna mine. Mammoet completed the move over two days on August 19 and 20, using transport technology and close coordination with local partners.
Built in the early 1900s, Kiruna Church was moved 5kms from its original site to accommodate the mining operations. Civil engineering groups Veidekke and LKAB commissioned Mammoet to lead the relocation, which involved transporting the 713-ton structure in one piece – a process requiring more than 1,000 hours of planning and engineering.
The effort, known locally as “The Great Church Walk,” involved raising the church on steel beams and positioning it on self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs). Monitoring systems tracked movement and tilt, limiting shifts to under 8cm, while roadways along the route were improved to handle the load.
Thousands of people, including King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, observed as the church was moved to its new site. After transport, it was placed on a new foundation to preserve its architectural and cultural value.
In days to come, Mammoet will also relocate the church’s 90-tonne belfry using a different SPMT configuration, contributing to the preservation of Kiruna’s cultural heritage.
“This project exemplifies the importance of detailed engineering and planning in executing unique and meaningful moves,” said William Soeters, project manager at Mammoet. “We’re proud to have played a key role in safeguarding this historic building for future generations.”
Source: Mammoet
About Mammoet
Mammoet, founded in 1807 and based in Schiedam, Netherlands, provides heavy lifting, transport, installation and decommissioning services worldwide. The company serves industries including petrochemical, mining, civil construction, power generation – including nuclear and renewable energy – offshore and wind. With about 7,000 employees in more than 90 offices, Mammoet merged with U.K.-based ALE in 2020 to become the world’s largest engineered heavy lifting and transport provider. The company focuses on engineering expertise, safety standards and a global network to deliver large-scale transport and lifting solutions. Its annual revenue is estimated at about $5B.