Epiroc to use SSAB green steel in mining equipment

Less than a week after the HYBRIT scheme secured EU funding, Swedish miner Epiroc contracted SSAB for green steel to be used in new mining equipment as both sectors face continuing pressure to become more sustainable.

SSAB is planning on launching its first wave of fossil-free steel products by 2026 - an industry first - with it already having supplied some green steel to partners. The partnership could help the mining sector decarbonise amid criticism the sector is not doing enough to meet climate goals.

Read more: COP26: SSAB pledges fossil-free steel products by 2026

The steel sector currently accounts for around 8% of global emissions, with it being the single highest emitter in Sweden. The group claims it accounts for roughly 10% of Sweden's emissions, and 7% in neighbouring Finland.

“Sustainability is integrated into everything we do, and we are committed to halving our CO2e emissions by 2030 and this partnership with SSAB will support us and our customers on the journey to our climate goals," says Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s President and CEO.

“It is clear that our innovation agenda goes hand-in-hand with our customers’ sustainability agenda," she added.

HYBRIT green steel is created by replacing coal-firing with hydrogen generated through electrolysis. SSAB works alongside iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall to produce the steel.

Initially, the steel will be used in a prototype for underground mining machines at its plant in Örebro, Sweden, with it ultimately paving the way for greener mining in the future.

SSAB CEO Martin Lindqvist described the partnership as a "natural next step" in the firm's efforts to tackle the climate crisis. The company's climate goals are reportedly in line with the Paris Climate Accord of preventing temperatures from rising above 1.5°C, a claim that has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTIi).

"Demand for fossil-free steel is increasing, which is one of the reasons for SSAB to bring forward its green transition with the ambition to largely eliminate carbon dioxide emissions around 2030," he added.

Epiroc will also look to halve emissions in transport and from suppliers by the end of the decade while also looking at ways to tackle emissions during the mining process itself.

The firm recently announced it had partnered with other mining giants for EU-sponsored low-carbon mining.

Read more: Epiroc partners up for EU-sponsored carbon-neutral mining

Dubbed the "Nexgen Sims", the project is specifically designed to push forward carbon-neutral mining methods, equipment and full optimisation using Industry 4.0 solutions such as 5G.

The entire sector has been facing mounting pressure in recent years due to public and stakeholder perception the industry is not doing enough to meet climate calls with some watchdogs suggesting many miners' goals are completely arbitrary.

The Responsible Mining Foundation found in a recent report that, while a lot of goals had been set, there has been relatively little action among mining firms in reaching net-zero.

Recent crises such as the Juukan Gorge incident or miners being embroiled in a number of public lawsuits over supposed negligence have also soured opinions on the mining sector.

Back to Homepage

Back to Metals & Mining