ABB will supply the electrical infrastructure for LKAB’s new iron ore plant in Sweden, strengthening an 80-plus-year partnership and driving sustainable and efficient mining.
The mining industry is undergoing a major transformation, seeking not only to meet the growing global demand for critical minerals, but also to operate in a safer, more reliable, and sustainable manner. In this scenario, electrification and digitalization technology plays a central role. It is against this backdrop that ABB has announced a major supply deal with LKAB: the complete electrical infrastructure for the new iron ore sorting plant in Malmberget, northern Sweden.
This project marks a milestone in the long-standing partnership between the two companies, which spans more than eight decades. The new plant, a strategic investment by LKAB, aims to enhance efficiency and reliability in iron ore production. The electrical infrastructure supplied by ABB will serve as the backbone for the facility’s power distribution, ensuring high operational availability and preparing it for future expansions.
Robust Electrical Infrastructure for the Mining of the Future
The new sorting plant will play a crucial role in LKAB‘s production process. Through mechanical methods, the ore will be separated from waste rock, crushed, and prepared for subsequent processing stages aimed at producing fines and pellets. The solution from ABB will involve supplying medium- and low-voltage equipment, essential for power distribution across the entire facility.
In addition to delivering state-of-the-art equipment, ABB will support the project with local engineering expertise and lifecycle services. This combination will ensure reliable operations and establish a solid platform for future technological upgrades, optimizing the facility’s operational life. Installation of the electrical systems is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027, with the sorting plant expected to become operational in the second quarter of 2028.
Electrification and Digitalization: Pillars of Mining Efficiency
The growing adoption of electrification and digitalization in mining operations demands an increasingly robust and reliable electrical infrastructure. In LKAB‘s project, the new electrical infrastructure will be integrated into the existing ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system (DCS), boosting synergy between systems and optimizing operational management.
Mikael Uusitalo, project manager at LKAB, stated:
The new sorting plant is an important investment in the future of our operations in Malmberget, Gällivare. A reliable electrical infrastructure is essential to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable production.
The partnership between ABB and LKAB, which spans more than 80 years, is reinforced by this project.
Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager for Mining and Materials in ABB‘s Process Industries division, commented:
Mining companies are making long-term investments in modern infrastructure to secure future production while building more efficient operations.
Reliable electrification is fundamental to achieving these goals. By combining proven switchgear technology with decades of mining expertise, we are helping LKAB build a resilient electrical infrastructure that will support its operations for many years to come.
Impact and Future Outlook
This investment not only strengthens LKAB‘s competitiveness and industrial development in northern Sweden, but also reflects the global mining industry trend toward more resilient and future-proof facilities. The search for responsibly produced raw materials drives the need for advanced technologies that ensure efficiency, safety, and sustainability across the entire production chain. The collaboration between ABB and LKAB exemplifies how expertise in electrification and automation can shape the future of mining.