Sveagruvan : svensk gruvhantering mellan industri, diplomati och geovetenskap 1910-1934

• Main Author: Avango, Dag
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: Swedish
• Published: KTH, Teknik- och vetenskapshistoria 2005
• Subjects: History of technology; industrial heritage studies; industrial archaeology; coal mining; linear model; geo-science; nationalism; diplomacy; foreign policy; iron and steel; Actor Network Theory; ANT; Industrial project; 20th century; industrial history; Spitsbergen; Svalbard; Norway; Sweden; Teknikhistoria; Arctic Archipelago
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-218

The purpose of this thesis is to analyse the development of a mining industry in Spitsbergen and its relationship to Swedish scientific polar research. The empirical focus is the history of Swedish coal mining on Spitsbergen between 1910 and 1934 and the mining activities at Sveagruvan 1917-1925. The aim of the thesis is to explain why this coal-mining project was started, why it was developed and why it was terminated. It critically examines a linear model that has been used to explain the development of this mining project, i.e. the idea that scientific research leads on to technological development and industrial activities in a linear sequence. A theoretical and methodological framework called Actor Network Theory (ANT) is used to describe and analyse the Swedish coal-mining project. In the construction of an actor network human as well as non-human actors are involved, shaping the project and influencing its results. If an industrial project shall be successful, the project leadership must maintain control over both the local and global parts of the network and maintain a flow of resources between them. The actors that initiated the Swedish coal-mining project on Spitsbergen in 1910 wanted it to fulfil both economic and political needs. Investors from the iron- and steel industry wanted Swedish coal for the production of coke for blast furnaces. At the same time the Swedish government wanted to stop Norwegian attempts to take control over Spitsbergen – at the time a no-mans land. By opening up Swedish coalfields on Spitsbergen, Sweden would strengthen its position in future international negotiations on the legal status of this Arctic Archipelago. Over time, the motives for the project were changed. This was a result of shifting economic and political priorities. The quality of the coal resources was not suitable for coke production, but good enough for steam production. There was also a shift in focus from foreign policy to the politics of energy after the Svalbard treaty was signed in 1920. With the use ...