The new Per Geijer deposit contains up to eight times phosphorus compared to the ore bodies currently mined by Swedish miner LKAB. With circular extraction of phosphorus and rare earth elements as by-products from iron ore mining, LKAB can potentially replace all imports of phosphorus to Europe from Russia. In the ReeMAP project, LKAB is developing circular solutions for extracting phosphorus and rare earth elements from today's iron ore production. Europe has only one producer of phosphorus and produces no rare earth elements. LKAB can thereby improve Europe's self-sufficiency and the Per Geijer deposit presents possibilities for significantly increasing LKAB's contribution.Phosphorus is one of three three essential nutrients added to mineral fertilisers used in agriculture. Approximately half of all world agricultural production is dependent on this. Europe is 90% dependent on imports of phosphorus and Russia accounts for a significant share of phosphorus production. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine the supply and prices of mineral fertiliser have become a major problem, which may result in high food prices globally and food shortages in poor countries. Consequently, phosphorus has been included on the EU's list of critical raw materials. All of these raw materials are vital for our industry and economy, we are import-dependent on them and there is a great risk for disruptions in supply related, for example, to geopolitical risk factors. Rare earth elements are also included on the list of critical raw materials, none of which are mined in Europe. China dominates both mining and processing, while Europe is largely dependent on rare earth elements for manufacturing electric vehicles and wind power turbines, which are essential for our green transition.
The new Per Geijer deposit contains up to eight times phosphorus compared to the ore bodies currently mined by Swedish miner LKAB. With circular extraction of phosphorus and rare earth elements as by-products from iron ore mining, LKAB can potentially replace all imports of phosphorus to Europe from Russia. In the ReeMAP project, LKAB is developing circular solutions for extracting phosphorus and rare earth elements from today's iron ore production. Europe has only one producer of phosphorus and produces no rare earth elements. LKAB can thereby improve Europe's self-sufficiency and the Per Geijer deposit presents possibilities for significantly increasing LKAB's contribution.Phosphorus is one of three three essential nutrients added to mineral fertilisers used in agriculture. Approximately half of all world agricultural production is dependent on this. Europe is 90% dependent on imports of phosphorus and Russia accounts for a significant share of phosphorus production. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine the supply and prices of mineral fertiliser have become a major problem, which may result in high food prices globally and food shortages in poor countries. Consequently, phosphorus has been included on the EU's list of critical raw materials. All of these raw materials are vital for our industry and economy, we are import-dependent on them and there is a great risk for disruptions in supply related, for example, to geopolitical risk factors. Rare earth elements are also included on the list of critical raw materials, none of which are mined in Europe. China dominates both mining and processing, while Europe is largely dependent on rare earth elements for manufacturing electric vehicles and wind power turbines, which are essential for our green transition.
