Extraction of critical minerals for increased self-sufficiency

A green transformation is taking place here in Norrbotten, where we at LKAB are planning to turn today's mining waste into important resources. Resources that the whole world needs. And the fact is that this can make Norrbotten a real hub for critical minerals. Right in the middle. Where it all happens. We plan to extract:

Rare earth elements for magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and electronics.
Phosphorus for mineral fertilisers, critically important for global food production.
Gypsum for the construction of new homes and houses.

LKAB projects designated as strategic under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act

The mine in Malmberget, the industrial park for critical minerals in Luleå, and the new iron ore deposit in Kiruna have been granted strategic project status under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act; projects that are seen as significant in reducing Europe's dependencies and increasing the availability of raw materials critical to the climate transition and security.

Learn more about the CRMA projects

The emergence of a new circular industry in Norrbotten

In Luleå, LKAB is now planning for a industrial park for extracting critical minerals.

Explore the industrial park
LKAB constructs facility for critical minerals
Översiktsbild av demonstrationsanläggningen för kritiska mineral i Luleå.

Progress in Luleå for the investment in critical minerals

It has been just over a year since LKAB broke ground on the planned industrial park on Svartön in Luleå.
Ebba Busch Jan Moström Darren Wilson pressträff

LKAB in Luleå – a look back at the past year

In January 2025, LKAB held a groundbreaking ceremony for the planned industrial park, marking the start of the next phase in the work to develop a new industrial environment for the extraction of critical minerals.
Illustration LKABs industripark för kritiska mineral med fullt utbyggda anläggningar

Permit application for Industrial Park in Luleå – crucial for future supply of critical minerals in Europe

LKAB has submitted its environmental permit application for the processing of phosphorus and rare earth elements in Luleå, Sweden.

The centre of events?
It all starts in the mine. More specifically, in our iron ore mine in Gällivare. This is where we plan to turn today’s mine waste and turn it into products that the world needs. The extraction of critical raw materials for our transition will then take place in Luleå.
Renewable energy, electric cars and food?
The raw materials extracted are needed in our society. For example, rare earth elements are used in electric cars and wind turbines, and phosphorus is a key ingredient in mineral fertilisers to give us food on the table.
The magic is born in Norrbotten.
Together, we can help make Europe more self-sufficient, reducing our dependence on distant nations. How cool and important isn’t that?
Fosfor för mineralgödsel

LKAB can increase Europe’s self-sufficiency of critical minerals

LKAB’s extensive exploration work in recent years has yielded results, resulting in increased mineral resources for iron ore, phosphorus and rare earth elements.

Read the chronicle by Anders Lindberg

Phosphorus from mine waste puts food on the table

Agriculture and mining may be perceived by many as separate industries. But they are actually connected.

Read the chronicle by Åsa Domeij

Raw materials should be extracted and processed here

Cheap, convenient and far away – with the environmental consequences out of sight. But now that’s going to change. More technology is to be manufactured in the EU.

Read the chronicle by Maria Wetterstrand

Our transformation

We are in the middle of the biggest change in our 130-year history and perhaps the largest industrial investment ever in Sweden. By 2045, we will be carbon dioxide-free.

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© LKAB, Box 952, SE-971 28 Luleå, Sweden
Phone +46 771 760 000, e-mail info@lkab.com