LKAB to use "Road of Death" for ore transport amid rail crisis

LKAB is resorting to trucking iron ore for 18 months due to severe capacity limitations on the Malmbanan railway. The company received permission from the Norrbotten County Administrative Board to transport about 80 truckloads daily from its Mertainen open-pit mine to Kiruna, a 30-kilometer journey along the E10 highway. This route, colloquially known as "the road of death," is heavily trafficked by both industrial vehicles and passenger cars.

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When the railway has insufficient capacity, the road is the alternative, it is clear that it is not desirable.

Linda Bjurholt, LKAB Malmtrafik's CEO, stated that the trucking is a necessity to ensure continuous production of iron ore pellets. "When the railway has insufficient capacity, the road is the alternative, it is clear that it is not desirable," she said. The company needs to maintain a high production rate to meet customer demand and is utilizing an existing ore stockpile at Mertainen.

Kiruna municipality, however, opposes the trucking solution. They argue that the E10 is already congested and propose expanding rail services from Svappavaara to Kiruna as a more environmentally friendly and efficient alternative. LKAB acknowledges the municipality's concerns but maintains that trucking is the only viable option given the current railway constraints.

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The main reason is that our plants need to have enough raw material so that we can continue to produce products.

The Malmbanan railway has been plagued by issues including derailments and frequent disruptions, prompting LKAB to repeatedly call for upgrades and double tracks. Despite a government investment announced earlier this year, LKAB deems it insufficient for their future plans.

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We choose the railway every day of the week if we can. But when the railway...