Still Reduced LKAB Production Two Years After Kiruna Earthquake
LKAB operates a series of iron ore mines in Kiruna and elsewhere in North Bothnia, Northern Sweden. The company is Europe’s largest iron ore producer. (Photo: Kiruna municipality)
The LKAB mining company is done with restorations following the earthquake in Kiruna two years ago.
In May 2020, LKAB’s iron ore mine in Kiruna, Sweden was hit by a powerful earthquake. As previously reported by High North News, the quake and subsequent rockslides have led to reduced production capacity in the mine.
In a news statement, the Swedish mining company informs that the restoration work in the affected area of the Kiruna mine now has been completed. Work is now entering the next phase, with preliminary production start in the fall of 2022. This applies to production area 22, right in the center of the mine.
The earthquake also led to several rockslides in the mine, however, production area 22 – also known as Block 22 – was particularly hard hit.
This area has lagged some behind other production areas and thus affects other parts of the mine’s production, as production forms a pattern, the company writes.
“It will take time before we are operational with the entire mine production, however, we have good systems in place. This is a complex issue that is still on top of the agenda and thus has to be allowed some time. Security is key”, says Mining Chief Joel Kangas at LKAB Kiruna in the release.
LKAB reports that mining production is some 66,000 tons per day and the prognosis for the coming years looks about the same. This equals a 20 percent reduction in production.
The company has taken measures through other mines to compensate for the reduced production.
