It’s an autumn morning at Yara’s Siilinjärvi mine in North Savo. Heavy rain lashes the open pit. On the waste rock pile, bulldozers push moraine to its designated area. Mud clings to the tracks, but the ground holds firm.
Mining here is all about order, foresight and responsibility. Radar systems beep, warning lights flash. Every move is planned, every decision deliberate.
This is where 24-year-old Tuomas Kuusiniemi, a civil engineering student from Tampere University of Applied Sciences, began his summer placement. He wanted to see what the industry really means in demanding conditions.
A Mine of National Importance
Siilinjärvi is Europe’s only operating phosphate mine. It produces apatite, refined on site into raw material for fertilizers and phosphoric acids. Through fertilizers, the mineral ends up on Finnish fields.
“The mine has a nationwide impact,” Tuomas says. “It strengthens food security and supply security.”
Tapojärvi works as Yara’s alliance partner, ensuring smooth mine production. The company was no stranger to Tuomas.
“When I was a kid playing football, Tapojärvi’s logo was printed on the back of my shorts,” he recalls with a smile.
Now he wears the same logo on his work gear — this time as part of a Finnish company with international reach. Tapojärvi provides earthmoving and circular economy services at mines in Finland, Sweden and Greece, and at plants in Finland and Italy.
From Internship to Employment
Although Tuomas lives and studies in Tampere, working in Siilinjärvi has been no obstacle. Tapojärvi provided site accommodation and shift work kept travel manageable. During the summer he tracked projects, joined problem-solving with the team and worked directly with the client.
The internship soon turned into a job offer.
“It’s great to see the contract extended. It tells me I’m in the right field.”
The summer also proved how varied mine work can be and how much it relies on careful planning and anticipation.
“A hole is never dug without a reason,” Tuomas emphasizes.
Safety First
Safety was the constant theme. Every task began and ended with risk assessments, work permits and tool checks. Safety briefings and weekly meetings kept everyone alert. Any deviation was reported and addressed.
“At Tapojärvi, nobody laughs if you ask obvious questions. In this business, double-checking is crucial.”
Teamwork was another lesson. A responsible mine cannot run without everyone knowing their role.
Growing into a Professional
By the end of summer, one project was finished and two new ones were launched. Tuomas now continues at Tapojärvi as a project engineer, carrying responsibility, planning ahead and learning more each day.
“If you want to challenge yourself, a mine is the perfect place. You develop into a professional who must and gets to take responsibility.”
Facts about Tapojärvi Internships
