LKAB is investing 80 million in research for the sustainable mining of the future
In a multi-year collaboration LKAB will invest 80 million kronor in research towards sustainable mining. In close collaboration with LKAB personnel, prominent researchers at, among other partners, Luleå University of Technology, Örebro University and Mälardalen University will develop solutions to enable the company's transition to carbon dioxide-free processes and products by 2045.
“This initiative supports our strategy to set a new world standard for mining. Researchs findings will be shared "open source" with our partners ABB, Combitech, Epiroc and Sandvik and eventually also with other companies”, says Jordi Puig, Head of Mining Technology, LKAB.
As part of LKAB's collaboration project to create a digitalized, automated and carbon-dioxide-free mine, the company has engaged in regular dialogue with academia and is pleased to announce that, earlier in the year, the decision was taken to fund ten different research assignments. Now an agreement has been signed with Luleå University of Technology, Örebro University and Mälardalen University, and discussions with several other universities have been initiated.
“Since the start of Luleå University of Technology, and especially during recent decades, LKAB has been our strongest partner. We are very pleased to be entrusted to participate in the green transition which LKAB has now begun. This is also well in line with the university's strategy for future autonomous, efficient and sustainable mine operation. We look forward to successful research collaboration, says Daniel Johansson, Professor and Acting Head of Mining and Rock Engineering, Luleå University of Technology.
“The initiative presents a fantastic opportunity. This represents a collective ambition to focus on basic and applied research and to use AI and autonomous systems in an improved mining sector. We have been looking strategically at the mining industry for some time and we view it as a growing application area for AI and robotics. LKAB´s initiative leads us into further collaboration with industry and academic partners and we are delighted to be a part of this”, says Amy Loutfi, Pro-vice-chancellor AI and Innovation, Örebro University.
“Mälardalen University has worked with risk management, energy and production optimization within many industries, and we are very pleased to be able to be working towards the realization of LKAB´s ambition to set a new world standard for sustainable mining. This is really driving the industry towards a future with electrification and AI systems for automated operation”, says Erik Dahlquist, Professor in Energy Technology, Mälardalen University.
Research assignments will commence immediately and continue until the close of 2024. Research work will be conducted mainly within the areas of underground transportation and energy efficiency, as well as risk management for increased safety awareness
“To improve safety, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and to increase productivity in our mines is vital for LKAB to be able to continue to deliver climate-efficient iron ore products. This is one of many steps toward the achievement of our objectives”, explains Jordi Puig.
Do you want to find out more? Please contact:
- LKAB: Jordi Puig, Head of Mining Technology, jordi.puig@lkab.com, +46 72 560 26 95
- Luleå University of Technology: Daniel Johansson, Professor and Acting Head of Mining and Rock Engineering, daniel.Johansson@ltu.se, +46 920 49 23 61
- Mälardalen University: Erik Dahlquist, Professor in Energy Technology, erik.dahlquist@mdh.se, +46 73 96 07 191
- Örebro University: Amy Loutfi, Pro-vice-chancellor AI and Innovation, amy.loutfi@oru.se, +46 19 30 11 16
Contact: Tina Benson, General Manager Corporate Communications. Tel: 46 (0) 980 710 85. E-mail: tina.benson@lkab.com
LKAB is an international mining and minerals group that offers sustainable iron ore, minerals and special products. We are committed to developing carbon-free processes and products by 2045, leading the transformation of the iron and steel industry. Since 1890 we have developed through unique innovations and technological solutions and are driven forward by more than 4,500 employees in 12 countries. In 2020, the LKAB group had sales of about SEK 34 billion.
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