ABB is collaborating with Norge Mining to conduct a FEED (Front-End Engineering and Design) study for a future Norwegian upstream mine production which it says has the potential to supply minerals used in electric vehicles and solar panels needed for the clean energy revolution, and fertiliser demand, for at least 50 years. The deposit contains large resources of phosphate, titanium and vanadium which are key EU-designated critical raw minerals that are essential for the clean energy transition and global food security.
Phosphate is processed and used to produce lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) batteries as well as fertiliser for the agriculture industry and is in high demand. Norge Mining recently announced that it has discovered up to 70 billion tons of a mineralised igneous phosphate rock at the new mine site in southern Norway, known as the Bjerkreim-Sokndal Layered Intrusion site.
Norge Mining is focusing on the Bjerkreim Lobe of this intrusion, which forms a large synclinal trough structure. This trough extends at outcrop for some 20 km northwest-southeast and up to 10 km northeast-southwest. It is known to extend for several kilometres in depth. Open pit, underground and combinations of the two are still under consideration with the mine potentially beginning operations in 2028.
“Norge Mining’s transformative partnership with ABB marks a new era for more sustainable, resource-efficient mining,” said Michael Wurmser, Founder at Norge Mining. “Together, we’re aiming to power progress through next-generation mining. With Norge Mining’s portfolio of significant, critical and strategic raw minerals, it will make significant global impacts on enabling food production and supplying the European battery manufacturing industry.”
“ABB is excited to begin this important project with Norge Mining, one that is anticipated to have a positive impact on European supply chains for the energy transition,” said Alex Kaufmann, Business Line Manager Mining for Process Industries Switzerland at ABB. “Through our early involvement, as well as our expertise in design and solutions for mining, we will support Norge Mining to optimise costs both during the construction phase as well as during the operation of the mine. Furthermore, our eMine™ approach for electrification and automation, which makes mines all-electric and includes integrated solutions that help eliminate CO2 emissions, will help to increase the mine’s efficiency and ensure energy efficient and seamlessly integrated systems across the entire plant.”
ABB and Norge Mining will explore the entire electrification of the future mining and downstream operations including control system options to provide a complete overview of the mine and seamlessly integrate advanced operations. The ABB study will address electrification, automation and digitalisation to ensure maximum sustainability, cost-efficiency and productivity at the mine from the outset and for the long term. ABB’s recommendations will also focus on low energy consumption within mine operations as well as optimising CAPEX and lowering OPEX with solutions for lower maintenance and higher efficiency.
ABB’s Business Line Mining draws on over 130 years of experience in the mining industry and is a pioneer in the integration of electrification, automation and digitalisation in mining.
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