LKAB to use green hydrogen for mining operations

LKAB in Sweden runs the world’s largest underground iron-ore mine in the Arctic city of Kiruna, with its site there representing 80% of all iron ore in the European Union. Iron is steel’s main component and will play a key role in the green industrial revolution.

The new Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology (HYBRIT) will allow for cleaner steel production by significantly reducing CO2 emissions.

Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced using renewable energy, rather than fossil-based fuels, which is the common method for making it. HYBRIT will help to de-carbonise the steel industry. The EU Innovation Fund contributed €143 million towards this project.

But the company says the bloc could invest more to get ahead of competitors, such as China and the US.

Europe’s largest deposit of rare earth metals was found earlier this month in Kiruna, with at least one million tonnes waiting to be mined.

However, a lot more money and technology will be needed to excavate such metals, which are used to manufacture electric vehicles and wind turbines.

The Swedish government, which now presides over the EU Council Presidency for the next six months, has a solution to deliver on the European Green Deal, according to Ebba Busch, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Business and Industry.

The European Commission will present its proposals next month for a new green industrial plan and a new European Sovereignty Fund to enhance public investment.