Old Mine – mining history museum and experiences in Outokumpu

The Old Mine

The Old Mine is a historic mining site in Outokumpu, North Karelia. Visitors can explore the history of Finnish mining, walk through an underground museum tunnel, and see what working in a mine was like during the 20th century.

Today, the Old Mine is also a diverse cultural and event destination. The area hosts exhibitions, theater performances, concerts, festivals, and other events throughout the year. The historic mining facilities also serve as a venue for meetings, celebrations, and corporate events. The mining museum, guided tours, and programs designed for children offer experiences for visitors of all ages.

Check out the Old Mine’s autumn program

Mining Museum and Museum Tunnel

The Outokumpu Mining Museum is a specialized museum that brings together the mining history of Outokumpu and Finland, as well as modern mining operations. The museum opened in 1982 in a former miners’ facility that once housed the changing rooms and washrooms for the workforce.

One of the highlights of a visit is the 277-meter-long museum tunnel. Visitors walk through the tunnel in authentic mining conditions—reaching depths of up to 50 meters—and learn about mining work through photographs, machinery, and exhibitions. The temperature in the tunnel remains around +8°C year-round.

Read more about the museum

Mining Museum Exhibitions

The Mining Museum’s exhibitions explore the discovery of the Outokumpu ore, mineral exploration, mining work, and modern mining operations. The mine tunnel also displays mining machinery, photographs, minerals, ores, and gemstones from Finland and around the world.

The site also features a hillside concentrator plant showcasing historical ore processing operations, as well as a machinery exhibition. The Mining Museum hosts temporary exhibitions, and history can also be explored through online exhibitions. 

More information about the exhibitions

Guided Tours

You can also explore the Old Mine through guided tours. These tours cover topics such as the mine’s history, the daily lives of the miners, the Mining Museum, and the museum tunnel.

There are special storytelling tours for children, where they explore the mining environment, minerals, and the underground world through an adventure. Guided tours for groups are available upon request.

Events and Venues

Throughout the year, the Old Mine hosts exhibitions, theatre performances, concerts, and other cultural and public events. The historic mine premises can also be rented for meetings, parties, corporate events, and other occasions.

Explore the facilities

Children’s Mine

The Children’s Mine offers activities for children in a historic mining setting. The outdoor area, spanning over 3,000 m², features scale models of mine buildings, an obstacle course, pedal cars, and various play equipment.

During the summer season, an indoor play area of ​​approximately 600 m² is also available; here, children can play with sand conveyors and mine carts, as well as explore labyrinths and a tunnel. The Children’s Mine outdoor area remains open for use during the winter season as well.

Discover the Children’s Mine

Summer at the Old Mine

During the summer season, the Old Mine expands its offerings, allowing visitors to explore a wider range of historic premises. Summer attractions include the restaurant, the indoor area of ​​the Children’s Mine, the machinery exhibition, the hillside concentrator plant, and the mine tower and crushing plant.

The mine tower offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding Outokumpu area. The site also hosts exhibitions, events, and other activities throughout the summer season.

Step into the world of mining history – experience the Old Mine both above and below ground.

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