Vattenfall wants wind to power fossil-free mining project in Sweden
Utility signs deal for partnership with mining firm Kaunis Iron to decarbonise iron ore facility near the Finnish border
State-controlled utility Vattenfall has signed a letter of intent to form a partnership with mining firm Kaunis Iron to develop fossil-free and electrified mining operations at an iron ore mine in northern Sweden.
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Future wind power projects in the region such as Vattenfall’s own Käymävaara and Selkävaara can play an important role for the two companies’ plans to decarbonise mining operations at the Pajala mine in Sweden’s Norbotten region at the border with Finland, the company said.
"It is very positive that we are now joining forces with Kaunis Iron to take a step towards increased electrification in order to phase out fossil fuels, which is a necessary step in our joint work on the greatest challenge of our time,” Vattenfall chief executive Anna Borg said.
Vattenfall and Kaunis Iron want to find solutions to reduce the need for fossil fuels in mining operations, but didn’t specify yet which. The utility said the two companies also aim for the electrification of rock and passenger transports in the mine and other parts of the plant in the mining site.
An investigation is already underway into fossil-free transport solutions between the mine in Kaunisvaara and the trans-shipment terminal in Pitkäjärvi.
The initiative with Kaunis Iron is already Vattenfall's third project for fossil-free metal production.
But the miner’s chief executive Klas Dagertun stressed the need for Sweden’s mining industry to become green.
"We have high ambitions when it comes to not merely meeting the requirements already in place for sustainability. We have expressed our vision that we will supply the world's most sustainable iron ore," Dagertun said.
“The Swedish mining industry is facing major changes to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and develop climate-efficient and responsible mining operations.”
The utility also has a cooperation with Swedish mining company Boliden regarding the electrification of mines and smelters, which includes battery solutions with a view to supporting the electricity grid and optimising electricity consumption.