The construction phase is set to commence this year.
Michael Palo, LKAB senior vice-president for the Iron Ore segment, stated: “Our current sorting plant has served us well, but it has reached the end of its lifespan. The new plant is designed to handle larger volumes and is adapted to today’s operations in terms of work environment and technology. It’s a crucial investment to ensure continued long-term and profitable operations in Gällivare. With the new plant, we will eventually be able to sort an additional seven to eight million tonnes of crude ore, while also helping to secure volumes of apatite for potential extraction of critical minerals.”
The facility will be constructed adjacent to the existing plant, covering an area of about 24,000m². LKAB explained that it had considered renovating the current facility but concluded that such an option would not support the required capacity increase. Instead, building a new plant was determined to be the most effective solution.
Monika Sammelin, LKAB Malmberget area manager, commented: “By constructing a new sorting plant, we get a modern facility that both secures today’s production and increases capacity for our planned expansion. It also improves the working environment for our employees and reduces our environmental impact by lowering noise, dust, and carbon dioxide emissions from our operations.”
In addition to ensuring higher production volumes, the new facility is expected to contribute to sustainability by improving efficiency and incorporating advanced environmental management technologies. This aligns with LKAB’s broader strategy to modernize its operations and prepare for future expansion in Gällivare.
Earlier in February 2025, Swedish construction company NCC signed a partnering agreement with LKAB for the new sorting facility. This collaboration supports the execution of the project and demonstrates LKAB’s commitment to ensuring high-quality construction standards.
Overall, the investment marks a significant step in strengthening LKAB’s long-term production capacity and operational sustainability. The combination of modernized facilities, improved working conditions, and reduced environmental impact is intended to support both current and future requirements at the Malmberget mine.
