The mining industry in Sweden has a history of more than 6,000 years. Historically, Sweden’s most famous mine is the Falun Copper Mine in Dalarna. The Falun Copper Mine is the source of the pigment falu red that painted castles, churches and cottages still seen throughout Sweden. Sweden is still today one of the most important mining countries in Europe and clearly has the largest sources of iron ore in Europe – the Kiruna mine.