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• ABB will supply medium- and low-voltage switchgears for LKAB’s new sorting plant in Malmberget, Sweden;
• The project will provide the electrical infrastructure to support safe, reliable and efficient plant operations at Europe’s largest iron ore producer;
• The order builds on a partnership between ABB and LKAB spanning more than 80 years.
The new facility is part of LKAB's long-term investment in its Malmberget operations and is designed to support efficient and reliable iron ore production over the long term. ABB's electrification technology will provide the foundation for safe, dependable power distribution throughout the plant, helping to ensure high operational availability while supporting future production requirements.
LKAB’s sorting plant (lkab.com) will become part of the process of producing iron ore through a mechanical method that separates ore from waste rock. During sorting, the crude ore will be crushed and the waste rock removed, a crucial step for the subsequent processing stages and for LKAB to produce fines and pellet products.
ABB will supply medium- and low-voltage switchgear that forms the backbone of the plant's power distribution network. Supported by ABB's local engineering expertise and lifecycle services, the solution is designed to deliver reliable operations while providing a platform for future modernization throughout the plant's operational life. Installation of the electrical systems is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027, with the sorting plant expected to enter operation during the second quarter of 2028.
The project comes as mining companies around the world invest in modernizing existing operations and developing new infrastructure to secure future supplies of critical minerals. As mines become increasingly electrified and digitally connected, reliable electrical infrastructure is turning into an essential foundation for safe, productive and energy-efficient operations. For this project, the electrical infrastructure will be integrated to the existing ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system (DCS).
The project further strengthens the long-standing relationship between ABB and LKAB and reflects the growing importance of electrification as mining companies modernize operations to improve reliability, productivity and long-term competitiveness.
“The new sorting plant is an important investment in the future of our operations in Malmberget, Gällivare. Reliable electrical infrastructure is essential to delivering safe, efficient and dependable production”, said Mikael Uusitalo, Project Manager at LKAB.
“Mining companies are making long-term investments in modern infrastructure to secure future production while building more efficient operations,” said Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager for Mining & Materials, ABB’s Process Industries division. "Reliable electrification is fundamental to achieving those goals. By combining proven switchgear technology with decades of mining experience, we are helping LKAB build a resilient electrical infrastructure that will support its operations for many years to come.”
The investment contributes to continued industrial development in northern Sweden and supports the long-term competitiveness of Europe's most significant iron ore operations. It also reflects the mining industry's increasing focus on building resilient, future-ready facilities capable of supporting growing demand for responsibly produced raw materials.
ABB (abb.com) is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide.
ABB’s Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~26,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries outrun leaner and cleaner.
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