Today’s mine waste

The goal of all mining is to utilise as much as possible of the mined material, for both economic and environmental reasons.

First, we extract iron ore from LKAB’s mines, then we upgrade the iron ore to high-performance products for steelmaking.

Valuable tailings

During the processing of iron ore, we create by-products. These by-products, so-called tailings, are deposited in tailings ponds. These tailings sand contains valuable minerals such as phosphorus, rare earth elements and fluorine.

The tailings ponds are a future materials bank containing valuable minerals.
Photo: Fredric Alm

Innovative technology

In the ReeMAP project, LKAB wants to develop the technology that will allow us to utilise these minerals and convert waste into valuable resources. This circular business model will set a new global standard for mining and minerals companies.