ArcelorMittal beams enable historic church relocation in Kiruna, Sweden
In a remarkable feat of engineering and heritage preservation, ArcelorMittal has played a pivotal role in the relocation of Kiruna’s historic church built in the traditional Swedish wooden style. The move was part of a broader, decades-long initiative to shift the entire Arctic town of Kiruna approximately five kilometres eastward, necessitated by the expansion of iron ore mining operations by LKAB, the state-owned mining company.
© Pictures by Malin Fors, LKAB
As mining activities intensified, the stability of the ground beneath Kiruna was compromised, prompting authorities to undertake the unprecedented relocation of homes, infrastructure, and cultural landmarks. Among these, the 672-tonne church – originally built in 1912 – stood out as a symbol of the town’s identity and resilience.
The successful relocation of the church in August 2025 was made possible through the use of 36 high-performance HEB 1000 beams supplied by ArcelorMittal. Produced in Differdange (Luxembourg) from recycled steel (scrap), the beams – measuring 10 and 11 metres in length – provided the structural support necessary to safely transport the building over uneven terrain. Their strength and reliability were instrumental in ensuring the integrity of the church throughout the move.
The operation, which took eight years of meticulous planning, culminated in a two-day relocation process. Moving at a steady pace of half a kilometre per hour, the church was carefully transported to its new location, where it will continue to serve the community. The event was witnessed by His Majesty the King of Sweden, underscoring its national significance.
ArcelorMittal is proud to have contributed to this landmark project, demonstrating once again the versatility and dependability of its steel solutions in supporting complex and meaningful infrastructure challenges.
Supplying the HEB 1000 beams from our Differdange mill for the relocation of Kiruna’s historic church was more than just a delivery – it was a testament to the strength, precision, and reliability of our products,”
Stefan Deheyder, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) sections and merchant bars at ArcelorMittal Europe – Long Products.
"This project is a powerful example of how steel can enable progress while preserving heritage," concluded Tapas Rajderkar, CMO at ArcelorMittal Europe – Long Products. "We are honoured to have supported such an extraordinary relocation effort, and proud that our beams played a key role in making it possible."
