LKAB plans to recover and utilise phosphate minerals and rare earth metals that previously ended up as waste. Apatite, a phosphate mineral used in fertilisers, among other things, was extracted the mid-1980s, when the process was halted, as it was not economically feasible. However, EasyMining, a subsidiary of environmental company Ragn-Sells, has developed a way of turning apatite concentrate into a finished product called mono ammonium phosphate (MAP). LKAB is harnessing EasyMining’s technological knowledge for the process of upgrading apatite to valuable MAP.
LKAB plans to recover and utilise phosphate minerals and rare earth metals that previously ended up as waste. Apatite, a phosphate mineral used in fertilisers, among other things, was extracted up to the mid-1980s, when the process was halted, as it was not economically feasible. However, EasyMining, a subsidiary of environmental company Ragn-Sells, has developed a way of turning apatite concentrate into a finished product called mono ammonium phosphate (MAP). LKAB is harnessing EasyMining’s technological knowledge for the process of upgrading apatite to valuable MAP.