LKAB is now laying the foundation for the new sorting plant at its iron ore mine in Malmberget, Gällivare – marking an important milestone in securing the company’s continued operations. The new facility will enable stable production, increased volumes, and the handling of apatite for the future production of rare earth elements and phosphorus.

The current sorting plant was commissioned in 1953 and has long been constrained by both its age and limited space. A new sorting plant is now taking shape, designed and adapted to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.

“The new plant strengthens the conditions for stable and efficient production. This modern facility will provide a more robust process with fewer disruptions, higher iron recovery, and better opportunities to maintain consistent production over time. The plant has also been designed to create a safer and better working environment for our employees, which is the most important thing of all,” says Monika Sammelin, Area Manager for Malmberget, LKAB.

In the sorting process, the ore is crushed, screened, and magnetically separated, a crucial first step before the crude ore is sent for beneficiation and transformed into fines and pellet products. The new plant is being designed for a total capacity of 25 Mt of crude ore per year, representing an increase of approximately 7 to 8 Mt annually compared with current capacity.

The facility is also being prepared to handle apatite-rich tailings for the future extraction of apatite, which will be used in LKAB’s planned production of phosphorus and rare earth elements in Luleå.

“LKAB has significant mineral resources and plays a central role in Swedish and European industry. Our strength is not only about where we stand today, but also about our ability to continue developing and making sound decisions that strengthen our operations over time. The new sorting plant is one such decision. It lays the foundation for stable and competitive production far into the future, for LKAB, for Malmberget, and for the continued development of northern Sweden,” says Johan Menckel, President and CEO of LKAB.

In September 2025, LKAB’s Board decided to invest SEK 6 billion in the construction of the new sorting plant. When it becomes operational in 2028, it will be one of the largest facilities in LKAB’s history. With a volume of 620,000 cubic metres, the building symbolizes the extensive investments being made to secure continued production and develop LKAB’s future operations.

To carry out the project, LKAB is collaborating with a large number of contractors and suppliers. NCC is the main contractor and responsible for the construction of the facility.

“This is one of the most complex industrial projects in Sweden right now. We are building in steep terrain, close to an ongoing operation, which places high demands on planning, safety, and collaboration. Together with LKAB, we are constructing a facility that strengthens the conditions for stable and competitive production for many years to come,” Helena Hed, Head of NCC Green Industry Transformation.

Operations and maintenance will be carried out more safely and efficiently in the new plant thanks to improved space and equipment. The working environment for employees will be improved through integrated dust extraction systems and the installation of sound absorbers. Noise, dust, and carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced as the current outdoor sorting operations are phased out and truck transportation is reduced.

LKAB will benefit from a stable and predictable process, as the new plant is being built in sections, allowing individual sections to be taken offline for maintenance in the future. The capacity of the new plant also is sufficient to meet current production plans. Steel fibres will be capable of being separated from rock reinforcement, reducing wear and tear in downstream facilities.