| LKAB Minerals | |
| Type: | Private limited company |
| Industry: | Manufacturing |
| Founded: | 1989 |
| Hq Location City: | Luleå |
| Hq Location Country: | Sweden |
| Key People: | David Högnelid - Vice President Minerals[1] |
| Num Employees: | 330 |
| Parent: | LKAB |
LKAB Minerals, formerly Minelco AB, is a Swedish state-owned mining company and Europe’s largest iron ore producer headquartered in Luleå.[2] [3] [4] Established in 1989 under the name Minelco AB, the company was rebranded as LKAB Minerals in 2013.[5] It is a subsidiary of Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag (LKAB),
LKAB Minerals was established to diversify the market reach of its parent company's iron ore products,[6] the company has therefore grown through rebranding and acquisitions of mining companies.[7]
LKAB Minerals was originally founded as Minelco AB in 1989. The primary goal was to find and develop new markets for LKAB's iron ore products.[8] The company has diversified its product range and expanded its market reach globally.[9]
In 2013, Minelco AB was renamed LKAB Minerals which represented a closer integration with its parent company, LKAB. [10] LKAB Minerals has diversified its operations through a series of acquisitions,[11] [7] which include companies specializing in industrial minerals and processing technologies.[12]
LKAB Minerals operates deposits, processing facilities,[13] and offices in 12 countries, including locations across Europe, Asia, and the United States. As of 2024, the company employs over 330 people and it has been part of mineral discoveries, including Europe's largest known deposit of rare earth metals at Per Geijer.[6] This deposit also includes phosphorus, which is listed as a critical mineral by the European Union.[14]