Repository data was deposited in the Arctic World Archive facility for data preservation on an island of the Svalbard archipelago, Norway.

"Our mission is to preserve open source software for future generations by storing your code in an archive built to last a thousand years," said GitHub.

The work to make copies of all open-source repositories at GitHub began in February this year.

"Over the last several months, our archive partners Piql, wrote 21TB of repository data to 186 reels of piqlFilm (digital photosensitive archival film)," the GitHub website says.

They also note that the initial plan had to be adjusted due to the pandemic, but the code has been successfully deposited in the decommissioned coal mine set in the mountains. The code is now stored in a chamber deep inside hundreds of meters of permafrost.

GitHub is the largest web service for the hosting of IT projects and their joint development.