From its mining operations in northern Sweden, LKAB is Europe’s largest iron ore producer, supplying over 80% of the continent’s demand.
Established in 1890, and 100% state-owned since 1976, Swedish LKAB sells iron ore, minerals and special products. The iron ore is processed to pellets and sinter fines, which are transported by trains to the harbors at Narvik and Luleå, and to the SSAB steel mill at Luleå. LKAB’s production is sold throughout much of the world, with the principal markets being European steel mills, as well as North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The company has over 5,000 employees and offices in 12 countries. In 2024 its turnover was 33 billion SEK.
LKAB’s vision is to lead the transformation of the mining industry towards a sustainable future. Extensive work is underway to develop a new world standard for mining through digitalization, automation, electrification and new ways of working, laying the foundation for the new value chain that will produce sponge iron. The company aims to makes its production carbon free by 2045, using hydrogen and fossil-free electricity.
A founding member of LeadIT, LKAB, alongside other founding members Vattenfall and SSAB, created the HYBRIT (Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology) project to develop the first fossil-free steel.
