![Main mine shaft in Valaheigruva mine.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/kvi_32.jpg?itok=ybqiInvs)
Varaldsøy- mining
There is still a lot of ore in the abandoned mines on Varaldsøy Island. If today's prices and availability of ore continue, it is doubtful whether the mines will resume operation. But, the pyrite is there, if the market should return. On Varaldsøy Island one finds at least nine mines and prospect pits, that for the most part date back to the latter part of the 1800s.
![Mine hole above Kvitebergsvatnet Lake, by Atramadalen.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/kvi_52.jpg?itok=-8a1A_lh)
Ølve- Mining
All in all there are ten known copper mines and two iron mines on the Ølve peninsula. Geologically, the nine mines on Varaldsøy Island also should be figured in. The industry began at Lilledal in 1642 wth the mining of iron ore. From Jernsmauget by Dyråsen, the iron ore was sent to the iron works in eastern Norway.
Litlandsvatnet
Large quantities of nickel ore have been mined from Litlandsvatnet, between Lonevågen and Hosanger. The discovery was made in 1875. During the period of operation from 1882 to 1945, 4170 tonnes of pure nickel were extracted from 462 000 tonnes of ore, a large production by Norwegian standards.
![One of the employee's homes.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/bo_7.jpg?itok=g8bMYKUS)
Lykling- gold
During the summer of 1979 a rock was found at Lykling in Bømlo that contained 450 grams of gold, and at the end of the 1980s a great many gold samples were laid out for sale. In the old mining area there are still gold miners hunting for the precious metal. But, the big adventure stories are a thing of the past.
![Model of the mining area at Litlabø, Stord](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/1/kvh_211-1.jpg?itok=y-33io_R)
Litlabø
The first finds of pyrite at Litlabø in Stord came to light in 1864. Forty years later sulphuric ore was mined from an open mine. From 1874 to 1880 it was used for dynamite production. That came to a sudden end when the factory exploded and three people died.
![Frå kopargruvene på Tveit.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/190/tveit_gruve.jpg?itok=hjvhdIKa)