Our environmental efforts
Environmental responsibility is a central part of both our daily operations and our long-term transformation. As a leading supplier of highly refined iron ore products, we work systematically to minimise our impact on nature, water, air and biodiversity.
To achieve our goals, we combine technological development with preventive measures, continuous monitoring and open dialogue with regulatory authorities and local communities.
We strive to be one of the world’s most resource- and environmentally efficient mining and minerals companies. Sustainability is not a sideline – it is a prerequisite for our competitiveness and our trust as a social actor.
Our prioritised areas for action are:
- Biodiversity – we protect and restore valuable natural environments
- Sustainable water and waste management – with the goal of minimising impact and maximising reuse
- Energy efficiency and supply – we use energy responsibly and push for fossil-free electricity.
- Circularity and resource efficiency – we make use of residual products and extend the life cycle of materials.
Environmental work is the responsibility of the entire Group. All employees are expected to contribute to improvements in their daily work within the framework of their assignment.
Environmental reports
Under Swedish law, we are required to compile environmental reports, which are submitted to relevant authorities like the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten and, in some cases, the municipalities in which we operate. The reports include information on emissions, waste management and noise polution.
Common questions on the environment
- You can find more information in our annual and sustainability reports. Every year, we produce environmental reports that are also available to read, but only in Swedish.
Lastly, there are a number of news pieces and press releases available on our web site.
Det finns också ett antal nyheter och pressreleaser att läsa på webbplatsen. - We welcome questions, comments and complaints about our activities. Please contact an environmental engineer or communications officer at the respective location.
- When you submit a comment, question or complaint by telephone, form or e-mail, the environmental engineer at the respective location within LKAB is responsible for compiling a response. This may take different amounts of time depending on the complexity of the matter. The environmental engineer will let you know when you can expect a response shortly after they receive your case. Please note that this applies during office hours. During evening, weekend or holiday periods, responses may be delayed.
- We are aware that at times there is disturbing dust from our industrial sites and facilities, especially during dry weather and windy conditions. Therefore, during the bare ground period, when there is no risk of freezing, sweeping, vacuuming, salting and irrigation are carried out on our sites, to reduce dusting. We carry out ongoing seeding of exposed areas, such as roadsides, dormant landfills and other areas not used in production. We also plant trees to reduce wind gain within the industrial area and carry the dust out towards the communities.
During winter and spring, it is more difficult to perform dust control as we cannot use water. At the Svappavaara quarry, a number of snow cannons are used to spread a fine mist of snow to stop the dust. - LKAB monitors the amount of dust, or falling dust as it is also known, on a monthly basis using a method called NILU, which is simply a can on a stand where the dust falls. The sample is dried and weighed and the amount of dust per 100 m2 is calculated. Here are the results measured at various points in our sites.
In addition, LKAB also takes snow samples annually, usually in March. Snow sampling involves taking a sample from snow cover to bare ground, drying and weighing the sample and calculating the amount of dust per 100 m2. From the snow sample, other things can also be checked, such as pH.
For more information, read our environmental reports (Swedish only).
LKAB kontrollerar mängden damm, eller nedfallande stoft som det också kallas, månadsvis genom en metod som heter NILU. Det är enkelt förklarat en burk som står på ett stativ där dammet faller ner. Provet torkas och vägs och mängden stoft per 100 m2 räknas fram. Här finns de uppmätta resultaten vid olika mätpunkter på våra verksamhetsorter. - LKAB monitors noise through measurements carried out by an external consultant once a year. The noise levels permitted are governed by the conditions of the operation.
As of 1 January 2017, outdoor activities must not exceed:
50 dBA daytime (07-18 in Malmberget, 06-18 i Svappavaara)
45 dBA evenings (18-22)
40 dBA nights (22-07 or 22-06)
Noise is measured at fixed points in the communities as well as inside our areas. Based on this mapping, measures are then planned in the industrial areas. In Svappavaara, the noise from blasting and the sound of the warning signal are not included in the measurements.
For more infornation, read our environmental reports (Swedish only).
