LKAB plans to reopen its Mertainen mine to produce iron ore, which will be used in its pelletizing plants at Kiruna and Svappavaara in Sweden.
The mine, which is located close to the Svappavaara plant was mothballed in 2016 due to lack of demand at the time. However, it will now be used to stockpile close to 1mn mt of crude ore for six months. The company plans to use this iron ore as a buffer for its pelletizing plants.
The mine is expected to start production in the fall and will produce about 1.5mn mt of ore to achieve 1mn mt iron ore, the company stated.
The planning to successfully start the mine is underway with mining permits already in place while the company focuses on securing enough mineral resources required to start the mine. The resumption of the mine is expected to create at least 50 jobs in the area.