LKAB develops new technology for producing strategic minerals from mine waste
Phosphorus is used mainly in the production of mineral fertilisers. Within the EU there is currently only one producer that mines own resources; all other production depends on imported material. LKAB plans to establish production corresponding to more than five times Sweden’s annual demand.
Rare earth metals are now produced almost exclusively in China, which accounts for about 95% of production. The EU is 100% import-dependent.
Rare earth minerals via new extraction process
“LKAB’s ores contain the phosphate mineral apatite, as well as rare earth minerals. It has not been profitable to extract these from waste material, and they are part of the material that is currently deposited in sand tailings ponds. Together with Ragn-Sells, we are creating conditions for industrialising a profitable extraction process. We will then build full-scale plants. Here we can recirculate the tailings sand. And then process into strategically important minerals. But without the need to develop new mines,” says Jan Moström, LKAB’s President and CEO.
An important component is the KMAP process, developed by EasyMining, a subsidiary of Ragn-Sells. The process utilises the patented CleanMAP technology. This is a very energy-efficient way of producing pure ammonium phosphate, phosphorus fertiliser, and is better than any comparable technology. Via a chemical process, phosphates are separated from the toxic fluoride and arsenic, which are thereby removed from the eco-cycle. Rare earth metals can also be separated from the mine waste.
Maximising resource utilisation in new pilot plants
Initially, two pilot facilities are planned: one plant in the orefields to produce an apatite concentrate and one plant, possibly in Uppsala, to upgrade the concentrate. Both plants will be commissioned in 2019 and will operate until 2020. During this period we will begin dialogue with supervisory authorities and other stakeholders. Our aim is to locating production in Norrbotten adjacent to our existing logistics system.
“We are pleased to be able, together with LKAB, to take the first step towards extraction of more resources from what is now considered mine waste. We must be particularly careful with material that has been removed from the Earth’s crust,” says Lars Lindén, Group CEO, Ragn-Sells.
LKAB has a longstanding tradition of maximising resource utilisation by upgrading residual products. We commercialise them via operations within the Special Products Division, headed up by Leif Boström.
“We now use both highly upgraded iron ore and residual products from LKAB’s production. For example mixed ores and waste rock, to create products for industrial use, for example, ballast. Now our goal is to have a full-scale plant for production of ammonium phosphate and rare earth metals within five years,” explains Leif Boström.
For LKAB, this production is important in many ways, according to President and CEO Jan Moström.
“LKAB takes great responsibility for minimising our environmental impact. And ensuring that all resources from mine operations are utilised to the greatest possible degree. In addition, this generates income streams that make LKAB stronger and less sensitive to fluctuating business cycles. This is because this market does not have the same cycles as the iron ore market,” concludes Jan Moström.
FACTS:
CleanMAP
CleanMAP technology enables extremely energy-efficient and cost-effective production of very pure technical-grade ammonium phosphate. Cadmium content in the ammonium phosphate product is below 1 mg Cd/kg P; i.e., the product is significantly purer than the purest phosphorus fertiliser on the market. CleanMAP technology can be integrated into processes for phosphorus extraction from virgin or recovered material. E.g., sewage sludge or, as in this example, tailings sand from LKAB’s production, via the adapted KMAP process.
KMAP
The process has been developed for processing apatite from LKAB’s mine waste. This can handle both types of apatite produced by LKAB in Kiruna and Malmberget. And in addition to phosphorus, it can extract rare earth metals. The process separates the arsenic and fluoride contained in the apatite; i.e., these substances do not end up in the phosphorus fertiliser.
Phosphorus
There is a shortage of phosphorus. Europe’s only phosphate deposit, in Finland, produces barely enough phosphorus to meet 10% of European demand. Because of the shortage, phosphorus is on the EU’s list of critical raw materials. Without access to phosphorus fertiliser, the agriculture industry would produce only about half as much food as we need. The world’s largest phosphate deposit is in north-western Africa. However it contains high levels of the heavy metals cadmium and uranium. LKAB’s phosphorus product will be free from heavy metals and radioactive substances. And it will reduce dependency on imports from countries in geopolitically challenging regions.
Historical note
Hjalmar Lundbom, LKAB’s first General Manager, was tasked with finding mineable phosphate in Kiruna. This was when he discovered iron ore. Phosphate is once again in focus and will be mineable for decades to come.
UPDATE: You can read more about this on our dedicated ReeMAP website.
