Dypedalsgruva - Mining history in the middle of Central Kragerø

Kragerø has long traditions of mining. As early as in 1609 Anders Henrichsen Hammersmed got a licence to site and operation at Mørland in Sannidal. Since then, it has continued mining for iron ore, but also for such as feldspar, quartz, pegmatite, apatite, rutile, mica etc.

The older history of mining is not well taken care of here in this region. None of the many mines has become properly accessible for public, and only a few of the tools that mine workers used are left. This is the reason for that Kragerø and Skåtøy History Group decided to work with the mining history. Dypedalsgruva backside of Bedehuset in the town was suggested as one of the local projects for the Cultural Memorial Year 1997. Alf Olav Larsen, chairman of Telemark Geology Association, proposed this idea first.

Throughout years it had accumulated scraps and rubbish in this mine, but all of them were tidied up and taken away after energetic efforts of volunteering of Kragerø and Skåtøy History Group, Kragerø Mineralogy Association and Kragerø Contact - and Service Centre.


In 1854, a British company began operation of apatite mining in Kragerø and the surrounding areas. The name of the company was Evans & Atkins and was from Birmingham. Its representative here was David Forbes (1828 - 1876), but Johan Martin Dahll (1830 - 1877) from Kragerø overtook local control of the operation. The apatite mines in Kragerø were located close to each other. They were Dypedal, Løkken and Haukedal mines. The last one was also called Vuggen mine. We find it at Fugleheia but the entrance is closed now.

Apatite is considered as the most widespread phosphate mineral. It is found in various amounts in all eruptive rock species. According to Gunnar Raade (cand. real.), apatite plays a big role as phosphorus source for plants, both by disintegration and as row material for production of chemical fertiliser. Apatite is used today in the fertiliser industry. For example, Norsk Hydro imports a large amount of apatite that is coming with ship from such as the Kola Peninsula.

A lot of rutile was found in the pile of rubbish after the operation of apatite mining. Tor Kivle told (Kragerø Blad, 01.08.1963) that the rutile found from this mine was used for Schweigaard Park and Løkkebakken. Rutile had been considered to be commercially worthless for a long time. This mineral is composed of titanium dioxide, and has yellowish red or brown colours. It is widespread particularly in igneous and metamorphic rock species. Rutile is found in quite many places in Southern Norway where gabbro is found. Rutile is used for production of porcelain's colours, titanium metal and various titanium compounds.


Dypedalsgruva was officially opened for public on Saturday 21st of June in 1997. A sign at Løkkebakken with a sight mark points towards the place. Right before the entrance, there is a board with useful information about the mine. Then, we come into the open-pit mining with rear-up mountain walls at both sides. A couple of ash trees and a small-leaved lime have grown up here and stretch their top up towards the light. Here and there, both in the open-pit mining and the main adit, we notice small red apatite in background of dark hornblende. The adit where they took out apatite runs 25-30 meters into the mountain. Here, the mineral was taken out with help of gunpowder and dynamite. A small side path of 6-7 meter goes to left from the main adit. We find the most exiting mining path to the left along into the open-pit mining. It is clear to see that it has been operated with fire-setting.

After the volunteering in 1997, it is tidy and fine in Dypedalsgruva. Kragerø and Skåtøy History Group wants to appeal to everyone to show respect for this cultural memorial site, so that it can be presented in the same good condition for new visitors in the coming years.