Røros Copper Works

Røros Copper Works was founded in 1644 and continued in production for 333 years, until 1977.

In the smelting houses, copper was extracted from the ore, which came from the mines. The process continued day and night and there was great activity both in and outside the houses.

The ore in the mines was the reason that Røros Copper Works and the mining town of Røros came into existence. In the region around Røros more than 40 different copper mines have been worked and more than 200 chrome mines and claims have been active.

In order to start-up the working of a copper mine on a regular basis the owners or participants required a letter of appointment and privileges from the King.

The copper works created an enormous requirement for the carriage of goods within the mining area and between the mine and the outside world.

It was the German miner Lorentz Lossius and a prospector Peter Petersen, from Kvikne Copper Works, who received a concession for a single lode at Rauhaammaaren near Røros.