<p>Driven by global demand, the expansion of Sweden’s mining sector has accelerated significantly since the early 2000s, bringing economic opportunities and challenges to Sámi lands. Amid ongoing debates about sustainability and Indigenous rights, this article examines the historical consequences of mining industrialization on Sámi livelihoods in Kiruna, using Large Technological Systems theory. Kiruna, Sweden’s most important mining town, has been subject to mining since the 1600s, affecting both local economies and traditional Sámi livelihoods, particularly reindeer herding. Historically, early modern mining had limited effects on Sámi ways of life, but large-scale mining in the twentieth century created significant challenges, as expanding infrastructure and demographic shifts disrupted reindeer herding. Industrialization also altered power dynamics and cultural landscapes, continuously reshaping traditional practices. Using archival research and historical text and map analysis, this article argues that contemporary challenges related to mining and Sámi rights are shaped by historical processes, where industry-driven expansion has interacted with and reshaped traditional ways of life. As reindeer herding depends on undisturbed landscapes, its future remains uncertain in regions affected by mining. While compensatory measures aim to mitigate disruptions, the broader implications for Sámi cultural sustainability and land rights warrant continued examination.</p>