LKAB's positioning for the future iron ore and steel market

摘要

As you may know, LKAB is situated in the far north of Sweden, above the Arctic Circle, with mines in Kiruna and Malmberget. Ore processing and pelletizing plants are located in both Kiruna and Malmberget as well. The company's fifth pelletizing plant is located in Svappavaara, about 50km outside Kiruna, from where it gets its ore. Shipping ports are located in Narvik and Lulea. The ore to the Baltic Sea Region is shipped via Lulea, while the ore to the rest of the world is shipped over Narvik. Shipments are made year-round from both harbours. In Lulea vessels of up to 65 000 d.w.t. can be loaded. In the winter, ice-class vessels are used for shipments from Lulea. In Narvik, which is ice-free year round, ships up to 350 000 tonnes can be loaded. LKAB produced 21 Mt (million metric tonnes) in 2000, 70 percent of which were pellets and 30 percent fines. Pellets are manufactured in four principal grades. Last year, 70 percent were blast-furnace pellets and 30 percent were DR (direct-reduction) pellets.