- People
Section Manager Linnea at Boliden Aitik: There’s a place for everyone in the mine
Good leadership in times of change is all about liking people—and that’s exactly what Section Manager Linnea Sannelind does. At Boliden Aitik in Gällivare, she thrives on daily interactions with her team.
– The stereotype of the traditional miner is outdated. The mine is a place for everyone.
Linnea Sannelind was born and raised in Gällivare, where mining is simply part of everyday life. With several family members who have worked at Boliden, her career choice was an easy one. She started at the Loading and Transport Department in 2010 as a machine operator and has since held many different roles.
– I’ve probably operated every piece of equipment we have here.
The mine is a place for everyone
Today, Linnea is a Section Manager. Knowing the workplace inside and out is of course an advantage, but what truly drives her is the section’s greatest resource: its people.
– This section is incredibly diverse. It’s a large group with different backgrounds and circumstances, but everyone has a place here. There are tremendous opportunities to settle in and feel comfortable. Those of us who work here vary in gender, age, and heritage, and we have different personalities—and that’s a real strength.
“There’s enormous trust between managers and employees here. That makes me feel safe exploring different paths forward.”
Linnea’s goal as a manager is for her department to be Aitik’s best workplace—a place where people truly want to be.
– Seeing people develop, collaborating, and celebrating successes together are absolutely the most rewarding parts of my job. I genuinely believe the mine is a place for everyone.
Trust and clarity are essential
As one of the largest sections in the operation, Loading and Transport plays a central role. Linnea highlights the importance of clear communication and well-defined frameworks to create a sense of security.
– That way, it’s easy to step back and course-correct if you’re heading in the wrong direction. There’s enormous trust between managers and employees here. It makes me feel confident trying different ways forward.
She also emphasizes the importance of looking after yourself as a leader.
– You have to dare to delegate and realize you can’t put out every fire yourself. Recovery is just as important—getting enough sleep, being out in nature, and spending time with family. You need to find balance. You can’t always push full speed ahead.
Ongoing development—grounded in human values
In recent years, Boliden has introduced self-driving trucks, a major development for both this department and the entire industry.
– For us, it has meant new ways of working and new technology, but also a need to think differently. It’s not always easy, and it’s something we have to be mindful of. Sustainability also means considering the people involved. But as we learn more, the concerns fade, and now most of us think it’s very exciting and impressive.
For Linnea, change and development are a given. She feels her employer takes significant responsibility for the environment, its employees, and the surrounding community.
– This isn’t a company that sits still and waits; development here happens for the right reasons, which makes it easier to motivate people to embrace change.
She encourages more people to consider joining the mine and the “dream team,” as she calls her work group.
– Don’t hesitate to apply here! It’s an exciting workplace with plenty of training opportunities and excellent potential to grow and develop—if you’re willing to give it a try.
