ABB provides automation and electrification planning for new mine in Sweden

Nordic Iron Ore appointed ABB to scope process control and management systems for a future-proof and fully-digitalized mining operation at the Blötberget iron ore mine

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Location: Sweden
Customer: Nordic Iron Ore

Nordic Iron Ore is a mining company aiming at reopening and developing the iron ore production in the main Ludvika mines Blötberget and Håksberg in Sweden. Moreover, the company intends to expand its mineral resources and upgrade them to iron ore reserves, mostly through prospecting and study of the Väsman field, connecting the two main mines.

Challenge

  • Help Nordic Iron Ore open a mine with low environmental impact and footprint and that is also competitive and safe.

Solution

  • ABB has provided mine design consultancy and recommended scope of supply for the opening of the former Blötberget mine near Ludvika in the Dalarna region of Sweden.

Benefits

  • Automation, digitalization and electrification for long-term, safe, sustainable and efficient mining operations at the site.
“ABB can provide assistance at an early stage in mine development for electrification and automation and routinely collaborates with mining companies from initial feasibility studies through to full deployment. Swedish mines are already benefiting from ABB solutions, using ABB Ability™ System 800xA distributed control system and the integrated ABB Ability™ Ventilation Optimizer.”
Björn Jonsson, Hub Manager, Process Industries, ABB
“Mining and the support industries are a significant part of the Swedish economy, with some of the most advanced and efficient mining operations anywhere in the world,” said Lennart Eliasson, Managing Director of Nordic Iron Ore. “There are many challenges when opening a new mine. We want to draw on the strong technology knowledge that exists in Sweden to open a mine with low environmental impact and footprint and that is also competitive and safe.”
Lennart Eliasson, Managing Director of Nordic Iron Ore
  • The mine, which has been closed since 1979, is being redeveloped by mining company Nordic Iron Ore and is transitioning from study phase towards construction.
  • Nordic Iron Ore and ABB will continue the development of the project and have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for further collaboration at Blötberget. 

From initial feasibility studies through to full deployment

ABB’s recommendation addresses automation, digitalization and electrification for long-term, safe, sustainable and efficient mining operations at the site. The technology provider analyzed a Detailed Feasibility Study by Nordic Iron Ore and has made a significant advancement on the definitions and scope of supply of the automation and electrification aspects of the mine.

In planning mine design, ABB draws on its comprehensive ABB Ability™ MineOptimize portfolio of electrification and automation solutions, engineering, digital applications and collaborative services. ABB Ability™ MineOptimize integrates individual mining solutions into a secure and structured plant-wide system to optimize all stages in the lifecycle – from design and build to operation and service – of any open-pit or underground mine and minerals processing plant.

The Blötberget iron ore mine is expected to be operational in 2024. Iron ore was mined until 1979 when it was closed due to low iron ore prices. Nordic Iron Ore was formed in 2008 with the main aims of resuming mining operations in Blötberget and Håksberg and conducting exploration of the expansion potential of the Väsman field, together forming the Ludvika Mines, in southern Dalarna.

Optimized CAPEX, maximized productivity, sustainability and safety are only a few of the values that digitally connected products, services and solutions create for the mining industry.

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