Rare Finnish mineral exhibition to remain in Juuka

The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) will keep its rare mineral and rock exhibition on display at the Kivikeskus in Juuka, according to a report by Yle.

Tulikivi, the new owner of the Kivikeskus and a manufacturer of soapstone products, told Yle it hopes the exhibition will continue. GTK has also confirmed it wants the display to stay in its current location.

The exhibition, opened in 2003, showcases the geological history of Earth through various mineral and ore samples. Most of the rocks are GTK-owned national assets.

“The exhibition was originally designed for Kivikeskus. In my opinion, it’s better for the rocks to be on display there than stored in our warehouse in Lohja,” said Olli Breilin, GTK’s director of sustainable environmental use.

The Kivikeskus exhibition features diverse mineral and ore samples from around the world, including large, polished spherical stones that rotate on water fountains. Breilin declined to estimate the financial value of the exhibition, stating each specimen is unique and invaluable.

“Having the rocks accessible to the public is also valuable. There are very few geological exhibitions in Finland, and new ones rarely emerge,” Breilin noted.

Kivikeskus, located in Nunnanlahti, was initially intended as a business and tourism hub centered around soapstone and its processing, including research activities. Originally operated by the Finnish Stone Research Foundation, the center went bankrupt in 2016. The property then transferred to the municipality of Juuka, which sold it to Tulikivi in June for €60,000.

Tulikivi CEO Heikki Vauhkonen said the company plans to use part of the facilities for its own operations and is seeking tenants for the remaining space. Further details on the future of Kivikeskus will be announced in early September.