Grumant

Grumant is a settlement located in the Svalbard archipelago, Norway. It was established as a Soviet coal mining settlement in the mid-20th century. The name "Grumant" is derived from the Russian word for "mining" or "coal."

The settlement was once a bustling community, home to thousands of miners and their families. It featured a school, hospital, sports facilities, and even a cinema. However, with the decline in coal mining and the changing economic landscape, the population of Grumant gradually decreased.

In 1998, the Norwegian government officially closed down the Grumant settlement. Today, Grumant is a ghost town, largely abandoned. The buildings remain, standing as a testament to its past, but are no longer inhabited. Access to Grumant is restricted and primarily for research or historical interest. The area is managed by the Governor of Svalbard. Its history is a significant part of the broader story of human activity and resource extraction in the Arctic.