Crossword Genius

Old men change in Sweden (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ore

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'sweden' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'old men change' is the wordplay.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'men change' becomes 're' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'o'+'re'='ORE'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ore that I've seen before include "Raw iron" , "14 [CURRENCY UNIT]" , "Mineral-bearing material" , "Deposit of mine" , "it could be gold" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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