Swedish iron ore producer LKAB has ordered a third Scooptram ST18 automated loader from Epiroc for its Kiruna mine.

LKAB said the new Scooptram ST18, an 18 metric tonne loader which comes equipped with Epiroc's Rig Control System, will be integrated into its existing automation systems.

The order means that LKAB will have three Epiroc loaders working in the Kiruna mine where they run autonomously approximately 90% of the time.

"We have a strong collaboration with Epiroc and are very pleased to see that our development curve points strongly upwards thanks to the automated fleet of loaders", says Magnus Lindgren, Production manager at LKAB's Control central in the Kiruna mine in northern Sweden. LKAB is Europe's largest iron-ore producer. 

"The results from the first two automated loaders convinced LKAB that our loaders provided a strong addition to their existing fleet and strengthened their journey towards a safer and more productive operation. Putting them to work in the main production area is a clear testament to the quality of our world-leading solutions" says Mattias Pettersson, Global Portfolio Manager Loaders at Epiroc. 

The Scooptram ST18 loaders are also part of the Sustainable Underground Mining project a collaboration project together with ABB, Combitech, and Sandvik, that aims to develop the "digitalised, autonomous and carbon-dioxide-free mine of the future".

"The new Scooptram ST18 will be integrated with our existing solutions which run autonomously approximately 90% of the time. That means that the operators can be removed from hazardous areas while retaining full control" says Mattias Pettersson.