Finland
Haverin kultakaivos (Haveri)
- Max depth80 m
- CertificationIntro to cave
- Water temperature≈ 4–20 °C, varies with the seasonestimated, no reports yet
- SpecialFlooded mine or quarry
Diving and fills
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The dive
In the open pit steep rock walls drop away until you no longer see the bottom.
1 earlier accident or incident has been reported at this cave. Read what happened ↓
Profile and sections
In the open pit steep rock walls drop away until you no longer see the bottom. Lines run everywhere, in the open part too, laid so that you cannot swim into a cave without a free ascent by mistake (dykarna.nu), and in the galleries you see traces and remains of the mining. The water is fairly acidic and visibility varies (association); the logs on dykarna.nu give 4–6 °C, in summer too. The most popular route used to be: down the rope to -25 to -35 m, back to ~-20 m, across to the Pikkuluola, through it to the Turistiluola and then anticlockwise at about -10 m round the pit back to the jetty (Finnish Wikipedia).
Small-scale mining began here in the 18th century (dykarna.nu). Haveri was first an iron mine; when the poor ore turned out to hold gold, mining went on until 1960. The gold medals of the 1952 Helsinki Olympics were made of Haveri gold, and in 1953 the mine produced ~400 kg of gold. After it closed the mine filled with water and local sport divers found it. In 1997 diving was banned when a mining company pumped the mine out for test drilling; that project ended in 1998, and diving resumed in 2009 (Finnish Wikipedia). The mine site and the village around it are a nationally significant built cultural environment.
Practical: arrive in good time so the gate does not have to be opened again, and expect to stay for the whole event. Bring what the conditions call for, such as an ice saw and surface lines. In winter the association keeps the site clear of snow and a pump keeps the entry at the wooden platform and the stairs free of ice (dykarna.nu).
- Depth and profile
- Open pit ~120 m across and ~70 m deep: in steps to -20 m, below that mostly a straight shaft. Shallow caves: the Turistiluola (an old ore store, from -3 m out at ~-8 m) and the Pikkuluola (from -8 m to ~-20 m). Mine galleries run off horizontally at different depths, up to several hundred metres from the pit; levels at -35 m and -80 m (openings Keskisyvänne, Takahuone and Haveri North). According to the mine maps the shafts reach ~-200 m (Finnish Wikipedia).
- Configuration
- Open circuit or CCR. Trimix is required for cave dives deeper than 35 m and open-water dives deeper than 50 m (END max 35 m); shallower, the rules recommend nitrox or trimix. Gas: at least thirds; on CCR enough bottom gas for every diver to get from the furthest point to the surface, team bailout only for deco gas and even then at least one deco cylinder each. Dives deeper than 75 m only with a support team with technical training, which gets an OK from the push team between -30 and -40 m. Under ice you dive on surface lines with an unbroken line to the surface; further under the ice the cave rules apply and cave training is required.
- DPV: unknown
- No source on scooter use or rules; kilometres of narrowish mine galleries — ask the association.
- Gas
- Trimix from 35 m
Who can dive where
- At least Intro to cave
- Configurations: Backmount / twinset / Sidemount / CCR / Small cylinders / no-mount (speleo sumps)
- Goes down to 80 m (trimix or deco may be needed)
- Experienced divers only
This is how the planner decides who in your team may dive this cave. Rules your own trip adds (organizer, a mail, the AI) show with your trip.
How to get there
Only at events of Haverin kaivossukeltajat ry, which runs the diving with the permission of the City of Ylöjärvi; the site is fenced and the gate stays locked. You dive as a member of a club or body with a diving permit for Haveri (with the annual supporting fee), or temporarily with the approval of the board, which passes your details to the city. Register on haverinkaivossukeltajat.fi with your certifications (card number, instructor, year) and accept the rules and health declaration there. The event organiser approves every dive plan, and all dives stay within the organiser's own depth and cave certifications. Groups of 6+1, each with its own organiser; arrange your buddy beforehand. Experienced divers may dive the open pit on an open-water certification, within its limits and where they cannot stray into the galleries or too deep; in winter that needs an ice diving certification if you have no cave certification. Address: Haverintie 4, Viljakkala (dykarna.nu); warm changing room, a rack for kitting up and lighting. No camping or overnight stays on the site.
Around Haverin kultakaivos (Haveri)
FillsNo fill station known nearby
News
All (1)
Accidents and incidents
What happened at this cave before, with the sources. No names are given; read it as a lesson for your own planning.
- Fatal accidents: four divers drowned at Haveri, in 1987, 1990 and 1993; during the investigations in 1987 and 1993 diving was banned for a time (Finnish Wikipedia). According to dykarna.nu a couple of accidents have happened in the caves over the years, which is why the site is fenced.
Access and rules change: check what applies locally right before your trip. Source: GDELT Project and the news feeds of diving magazines. Search for more news ↗ Searched automatically, last on 5 Nov 2026.
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