In October, 60 amateur runners will compete in the World's Deepest Marathon at one of Europe's deepest mines – the Garpenberg zinc mine, in Sweden – to highlight the safety, innovation and transformation of the modern mining industry.

The marathon will be the deepest event of its kind ever, taking place 1 302 m beneath surface. It will break two world records and is aimed at raining more than £1-million for charity.

The Garpenberg mine is owned by metals and mining company Boliden. Runners will descend 1 120 m below sea level and endure temperatures of up to 28 °C. They will run in total silence and in complete darkness, with only their head torches for light, as they complete 18 lengths of a 2.4 km tunnel.

The event is hosted by learning and development company BecomingX, in partnership with mining and metals advocacy group ICMM and Boliden.

“The World’s Deepest Marathon embodies BecomingX’s message that we all have the potential to achieve extraordinary things. This will be a true test of mental and physical resilience. Running a marathon is tough, but doing it 1 120 m below sea level, in total silence and darkness, will push participants to their limits.

“This is about proving what’s possible when we dare to push beyond our perceived boundaries and into the unknown,” says BecomingX co-founder and adventurer Bear Grylls.

“This event shows how far mining has come. Underground conditions are often challenging, yet, with the kind of safety and sustainability leadership that Boliden exemplifies, mines can support 60 runners attempting a full marathon deeper than any human in history.

“The World’s Deepest Marathon not only supports great causes, but shines a light on the innovation, safety and humanity that define the modern, responsible mining industry," comments ICMM president and CEO Rohitesh Dhawan, who is one of a handful of ICMM executives signed up to run the marathon.

Among the event's 23 sponsors are the World Gold Council (WGC), Hindustan Zinc and Teck Resources, whose senior leaders will also participate in the marathon.

Among the well-known mining industry executives set to also compete in the marathon are WGC chief strategy officer Terry Heymann; Teck Resources president and CEO Jonathan Price; Boliden president and CEO Mikael Staffas; asset management firm Ninety One chairperson and former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny; and Appian Capital Advisory head of base metals Ignacio Bustamante.

A number of South Africans are also on the roster, including Ledile Dikgale, mining section manager at Kumba Iron Ore's Sishen mine, in South Africa; William Leshilo, who has completed seven Comrades marathons and has over 30 years' experience in the mining and sustainability sectors; and Eddison Makhetha, an employee at Gold Fields' South Deep mine, who has completed five Comrades marathons.

BecomingX co-founder and CEO Paul Gurney will also participate.

“We are proud to host this historic event at our Garpenberg mine. As one of the safest and most technologically advanced mines in the world, it’s the perfect setting to show that mining can be both cutting-edge and purpose-driven. We look forward to welcoming the intrepid runners and shining a light on an industry that’s critical to a sustainable future,” says Staffas.