Långban

Långban is a locality in Värmland County, Sweden, known for the Långban iron ore mine and the surrounding mining district. It lies near the village of Långban, west of Filipstad. The area has a long mining history, with ore extraction dating back to at least the 17th century and continuing in various forms into the 20th century. The mine ceased extraction operations after the mid-1900s, and the site is now closed to commercial mining.

Långban is celebrated for its exceptional mineral diversity. The locality has yielded hundreds of mineral species, including many rare and originally described minerals. The deposit is characterized by hydrothermal veins within metamorphic rocks and complex ore assemblages, leading to a wide variety of minerals including iron carbonates, sulfides, sulfates, carbonates, and silicates. The site is an important reference locality for mineral collectors and researchers, with many minerals first described from Långban.

Today the area is preserved as a geological and cultural site. Parts of the former mine are stabilized and accessible for guided visits, field trips, and educational activities under supervision. Access may be restricted to ensure safety and preservation, but the site remains a notable destination for geological fieldwork and for those interested in the history of mining in Sweden.