The future of mining: LKAB takes electrification underground with Scania
Deep beneath the northern Swedish town of Malmberget, a quiet revolution takes place. Swedish state-owned mining company LKAB has taken the next step in its electrification journey by introducing two fully electric Scania heavy tippers to operate underground, hauling iron ore at a depth of 1,250 metres.
This marks the first time Scania’s battery-electric trucks are being used for heavy underground mining operations, and for LKAB it is another milestone towards fossil-free mining. See the underground electric operation in the video below.
From surface success to underground innovation
The partnership between Scania and LKAB began years ago, with the delivery of a Scania 25P XT electric heavy tipper, used for surface transport at the mine. The truck, with a total weight including load of 49 tonnes, has been in daily operation since 2022, and the results have exceeded expectations. “That truck has been running since delivery, and it’s gone really well,” says Pär Sundqvist, Engineer within Electrification at LKAB. “The operators really like it. So, the next step was natural for us – we needed more payload to haul the ore inside the mine.”
To meet that need, Scania has delivered two semi-trailer electric trucks with a payload capacity of just over 70 tonnes and a battery energy volume of 624 kWh. The trucks will operate in production environments, hauling ore from chutes to crushers deep underground. “We put them into full production and evaluate their performance,” Sundqvist explains. “We want to know how far we can go on one charge, how much energy is needed, and whether we can replace our existing diesel equipment. I really think we can.”
Designed for a demanding environment
Mining 1,250 metres below ground presents unique challenges, from safety standards to operating conditions. LKAB hauls over 50,000 tonnes of ore daily in this mine, and the new trucks will initially run two shifts of 16 hours per day with plans to move to 24/7 operations.
“The environment is dark, but it’s ideal for electric vehicles,” Sundqvist says. “We have good roads and a constant temperature of around 12 to 15 degrees Celsius, which is perfect for batteries.”
Built through collaboration
For Peter Gustavsson, Project Manager Electrification of Mobile Machines at LKAB, close cooperation with Scania has been essential. “These trucks are customised for our specific needs. We’ve worked closely with Scania to adapt them for underground use. It’s been a great partnership.”
Gustavsson notes that LKAB’s earlier electric truck has already proven itself in Sweden’s harsh northern climate, through steep inclines, ice, and snow. “It’s powerful, quiet, and reliable,” he says.
Towards fossil-free mining
LKAB aims to have 30 per cent of its mining fleet electrified by 2027, hauling and loading at least five million tonnes per year without emissions. The move is part of the company’s wider ambition to lead the green transformation of the iron and steel industry. “Our goal is to maintain productivity while reducing our carbon footprint,” Sundqvist says. “We want to show that sustainable mining is not just possible, it’s the future.”
For both Scania and LKAB, the collaboration represents more than a technical achievement; it’s a shared commitment to progress. As Gustavsson puts it: “The future is electric. That we know for sure.”
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