Venelaget for Gruo

A/S Stordø Kisgruber was closed down for good in 1968, after more than 100 years of continuous mining at Litlabø. Venelaget for Gruo was founded in 1993 with the aim of taking care of the old mining area at Litlabø. Since 2005, work has been done on the project "A living mining museum". In practice, the project is continuously worked on by people on a voluntary basis every Monday.

About us

  • Many of the members of the team were born and raised in "Gruo", or are descendants of miners, but with time, others have also gained interest in and pleasure from taking part in the work. The team currently has about 140 members.


  • The first task for Venelaget was to be the driving force behind the carpenter's workshop and the Stiger office being salvaged and restored, something that happened with financial means from "Stord in development".

          Venelaget then had the monument raised over the miner, made by Arne Mæland in Os and unveiled on 1 May 1996.

  • In 2004 Venelaget cleared many hiking trails in the mining area, and in 2005 we put light on the shaft tower from 1928.
  • Venelaget for Gruo often arranges guided tours for groups in the mining area and in several of the buildings.


  • 15 -20 people of different ages meet every Monday at 6 pm for active efforts. Otherwise, people meet several days a week as needed. Among the active, many different fields of expertise are represented: Plumbers, electricians, construction experts, mechanics, welders, machine drivers, surveyors, educators, geologists,… The valuable diversity enables us to solve the tasks we encounter at any time.


  • Despite many hours of hard work, sponsorship and good offers from various suppliers and partners, Venelaget for Gruo will need help, support players and financial resources to be able to achieve the goals outlined. We hope that you see the value of now achieving the goals we have for the mining community on Litlabø, and therefore will support our work.


  • We welcome more members, both active and passive. We have room for and need for everyone!


  • If you want more information, become a member, or have a tour, get in touch!



Contact persons:

Tenant: Torbjørn Marthinsen in: Tel. 994 99 457/53 49 34 03

Treasurer: Ingvild Skaret Sortland, mobile 950 76 284


Address: Venelaget for GruoGruva 11, 5415 Stord


Email: stiger@gruo.no


Organization number:

Org.nr. 989 633 759


For guided tours / rental of houses, contact by e-mail: stiger@gruo.no

Become a support member

Venelaget for Gruo wants more support members. For individuals, the membership costs NOK 200.00 pr. years and NOK 250.00 for family. As soon as the cashier has registered the amount in the account, you are a member of Venelaget. Mark the payment with a membership fee.


You are welcome.

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