In the sea gap in Bømlo municipality, you can find the remains of the largest capture of gold in Norway as a whole. In the period 1882 to 1910, 200 kilos of gold were extracted from the mines at Lykling. – This quantity would have been worth approximately NOK 138 million at today’s gold prices, says commodity analyst at SEB, Bjarne Schieldrop. At the same time, he reminds us that gold is particularly resource-intensive to extract. – Perhaps with the exception of South Africa, there are small deposits and it is difficult to get hold of gold. That may also be why they shut down this mine in their time, he says. This gold nugget originates from the old mining area. It is worth a lot of money. Photo: Steinriket Bømlo Skuleelev found gold Despite the fact that mining has long ceased at Bømlo, there are several people who are tempted by quick income. – The mines are known for their large gold nuggets, says Brynjar Stautland. He has written a book about the gold mines and is often out in the area, where the remains of the gold mines are still clearly visible. – Every time we get publicity, people come and want to try to find gold. But the area is protected and it is forbidden to take stones from here, he says. It is in the large stone piles in the area that there may still be stones with gold in them. According to Stautland, a school student must have had luck on a school trip and found a stone with gold worth a couple of thousand kroner. A couple of years ago, Brynjar Stautland contacted the police after someone had been in the gold mining area for many days. Photo: Olav Røli / news Tourists came to find gold – We made an agreement with the school and they were allowed to keep the stone. It is worth emphasizing that this happens very rarely, says Stautland. He also contacted the police after a group of foreign tourists were in the area for days. The purpose was to find gold. – I contacted the police, but did not report it, he says. Taking stones from this area with you is strictly prohibited. Nevertheless, it happens that people come to try the lock. Photo: Olav Røli / news Gets Unesco status And now even more people can come to the area. The gold mines at Bømlo are one of 62 locations in Geopark Sunnhordland which this week received Unesco geopark status. Between the 62 locations you will find both gold mines, but also landmarks such as Bondhusdalen in Kvinnherad and Langfoss in Åkrafjorden in Etne municipality. Langfoss in Åkrafjorden in Etne is part of the new geopark in Vestland. Photo: Olav Røli / news Norway has thus gained its fourth Unesco Geopark. The other three are Gea Norvegica (Vestfold and Telemark), Magma (Rogaland and Agder) and Trollfjell (Sør-Helgeland). – Of course, we hope that this will make more people look out for the area, says Stautland, who is the day-to-day manager of Geopark Sunnhordland. Facts about global geoparks UNESCO’s global geoparks are defined as “Contiguous geographical areas where places and landscapes of international geological importance are managed in a sustainable manner. In a UNESCO global geopark, the geological heritage is highlighted as part of the earth’s natural and cultural heritage, to increase awareness and understanding of important topics, such as using the earth’s resources in a sustainable way, dealing with the effects of climate change or reducing the effects of natural disasters”. A UNESCO geopark must meet certain criteria. It must contain geological heritage of international importance and convey the connection between geology and cultural and natural heritage. A geopark should increase visitors’ understanding of climate change and natural hazards, increase knowledge of the area’s landscape values, strengthen identity and stimulate local business. Status as a UNESCO Global Geopark is obtained through a long and rigorous application and evaluation process. A UNESCO Global Geopark receives that status for four years at a time, followed by an evaluation that determines whether the status is retained or not. Trollfjell Geopark is a collaborative project between the municipalities of Brønnøy, Vega, Vevelstad, Sømna, Bindal and Leka. The area has unique values related to mantle rocks on Leka, the characteristic beach flat landscape on Vega and the iconic hole in Torghatten, all three created by geological events. Source: Geological Survey of Norway Geologist Tom Heldal at NGU thinks the whole area is interesting. Both how nature and the fjords are shaped. But also traces of human activity over 10,000 years. Stone was extracted from this quarry for many medieval churches in Vestland. Photo: Olav Røli / news On an islet in the sea outside Bømlo you can find greenstone. An important resource in the Stone Age. In a soapstone quarry near the gold mines, soapstone was extracted for Moster church, but also for St. Mary’s Church, the Cathedral, the Cross Church and Nonneseter Kloster in Bergen. – In the area you can see traces of human activity over 11,000 years, says Heldal. Here on Hespriholmen you will find an old stone quarry from the Stone Age. Photo: Geopark Sunnhordland Bets on tourism Land owners in the area will welcome the new status. Sindre Larsen runs a farm right next to the gold mines, and has recently invested heavily in tourism. – This will be a door opener for us, he believes. Larsen opened his two cabins for “glamping” last summer, and interest has been good. The majority of visitors are still from Vestland. – But we now hope that we can attract tourists from other parts of Norway and abroad, he says. Sindre Larsen invests in tourism, and hopes Unesco status can be a door opener. Photo: Olav Røli / news And for those who wonder if gold is a good investment? – If there is a recession in the economy, it might be nice to own gold. But if you’re going to buy large quantities, you can’t keep it in your wardrobe. Then you have to rent a room with security, which again costs money. Then it’s a question of what gives the most return, and for example US government bonds, says Schieldrop. Hello! Do you have any thoughts after reading this case, or would you like to advise us about similar or other cases. Send me an email.
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Norway has got its fourth Unesco geopark – news Vestland
