1434
Process Mineralogy at LKAB: The Connection Between
Kirunatype Iron Ore Exploration and Mineral Processing
Patrick Krolop
Luossavaara Kiirunavaara AB (publ.)
ABSTRACT: Process mineralogy displays a cross functional discipline in LKAB’s current mining environment.
Acting from exploration to mine closure, the main work is based on development of exploration targets by
transferring mineralogical knowledge of an ore to its amenability for mineral processing. A diverse analytical
infrastructure is available internally ranging from drill core scanners to scanning electron microscopy-
based systems and bench to pilot scale mineral processing equipment. Besides major internal mineralogical
characterisation and geometallurgical test works, both on iron ore and potential mineral byproducts like apatite,
internal collaborations with other departments and with strategic external research partners is fundamental in
the process mineralogical assignments.
INTRODUCTION
Luossavaara Kiirunavaara AB (publ), commonly known as
LKAB, operates open pit and underground mines in the
Norrbotten region of northern Sweden. The Fe-P-REE
commodities of Kiruna-type have been exploited for over
130 years mainly producing magnetite concentrates used
for subsequent pellet production. The main products are
blast furnace pellets, olivine-fluxed pellets and pellets for
direct reduction, accounting for 80% of LKAB’s total pro-
duction. The remaining 20% are sold as fines products,
mainly magnetite fines, pellet fines from the screening of
pellets at the ports and hematite fines. High-quality prod-
ucts and correlating specifications are of crucial importance
for maintaining a stable business at responsible and sus-
tainable conditions. Newly explored areas in existing mines
and recently discovered deposits result in a greater need of
early-stage characterisation of its components and features
to aid future ways of exploitation and processing. Front-
end loading of process mineralogical knowledge benefits
characteristics that can be harnessed and/or illustrate the
limitations that need to be catered for in future production.
Process Mineralogy is the practical application of min-
eralogical knowledge. It aims to support mineral explo-
ration, and to predict and optimise how an ore can best
be mined and processed. Therefore, it can be regarded
as the bridge between exploration/geology and mineral
processing.
The goal of process mineralogical studies is to identify,
diagnose and predict processing characteristics of an ore
that are mineralogically controlled or influenced. Especially
the mineralogy and texture of an ore dictate how the ore
can efficiently be processed at low costs and at minimised
environmental risk.
GEOLOGICAL AND MINERALOGICAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IRON ORE
DEPOSITS IN NORTHERN SWEDEN
Iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits are of great economic
interest often revealing high iron grades above 50% Fe in
combination with potential for very large sizes (1 Gt).
In the Norrbotten region of northern Sweden they are
the most important ore deposits with regard to economic
Process Mineralogy at LKAB: The Connection Between
Kirunatype Iron Ore Exploration and Mineral Processing
Patrick Krolop
Luossavaara Kiirunavaara AB (publ.)
ABSTRACT: Process mineralogy displays a cross functional discipline in LKAB’s current mining environment.
Acting from exploration to mine closure, the main work is based on development of exploration targets by
transferring mineralogical knowledge of an ore to its amenability for mineral processing. A diverse analytical
infrastructure is available internally ranging from drill core scanners to scanning electron microscopy-
based systems and bench to pilot scale mineral processing equipment. Besides major internal mineralogical
characterisation and geometallurgical test works, both on iron ore and potential mineral byproducts like apatite,
internal collaborations with other departments and with strategic external research partners is fundamental in
the process mineralogical assignments.
INTRODUCTION
Luossavaara Kiirunavaara AB (publ), commonly known as
LKAB, operates open pit and underground mines in the
Norrbotten region of northern Sweden. The Fe-P-REE
commodities of Kiruna-type have been exploited for over
130 years mainly producing magnetite concentrates used
for subsequent pellet production. The main products are
blast furnace pellets, olivine-fluxed pellets and pellets for
direct reduction, accounting for 80% of LKAB’s total pro-
duction. The remaining 20% are sold as fines products,
mainly magnetite fines, pellet fines from the screening of
pellets at the ports and hematite fines. High-quality prod-
ucts and correlating specifications are of crucial importance
for maintaining a stable business at responsible and sus-
tainable conditions. Newly explored areas in existing mines
and recently discovered deposits result in a greater need of
early-stage characterisation of its components and features
to aid future ways of exploitation and processing. Front-
end loading of process mineralogical knowledge benefits
characteristics that can be harnessed and/or illustrate the
limitations that need to be catered for in future production.
Process Mineralogy is the practical application of min-
eralogical knowledge. It aims to support mineral explo-
ration, and to predict and optimise how an ore can best
be mined and processed. Therefore, it can be regarded
as the bridge between exploration/geology and mineral
processing.
The goal of process mineralogical studies is to identify,
diagnose and predict processing characteristics of an ore
that are mineralogically controlled or influenced. Especially
the mineralogy and texture of an ore dictate how the ore
can efficiently be processed at low costs and at minimised
environmental risk.
GEOLOGICAL AND MINERALOGICAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IRON ORE
DEPOSITS IN NORTHERN SWEDEN
Iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits are of great economic
interest often revealing high iron grades above 50% Fe in
combination with potential for very large sizes (1 Gt).
In the Norrbotten region of northern Sweden they are
the most important ore deposits with regard to economic