Listed below are important milestones in LKAB's history.
1696 The Kiirunavaara and Luossavaara ore mountains are mentioned for the first time in writing, by the accountant Samuel Mört at Kengis mill.
1735 The first claim is made for Gällivare ore mountain.
1890 Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag – LKAB – is established. On 18 December, the inaugural statutory meeting is held in Stockholm, and Carl Johan Ljunggren is named the first managing director.
1891 Aktiebolaget Gellivare Malmfält – AGM – is established.
1893 AGM acquires a majority shareholding in LKAB and Gustaf Emil Broms becomes the new managing director.
1898 The Swedish and Norwegian parliaments decide that the Ore Railway should be extended from Gällivare to Narvik. In the same year, Hjalmar Lundbohm becomes site manager in Kiruna.
1903 The Ore Railway to Narvik is inaugurated on 14 June. The first ore boat was loaded as early as January in Narvik harbour. Trafikaktiebolaget Grängesberg-Oxelösund – TGO – acquires a majority shareholding in AGM and thereby takes control of LKAB.
1907 The Swedish State becomes a part-owner of LKAB and the trams begin to roll in Kiruna.
1910 The first processing plant is commissioned in Malmberget.
1923 Electrification of the Ore Railway is completed for the entire Luleå-Narvik section.
1933 After World War I, the global economy goes into recession, resulting in ore production dropping to its lowest level since the creation of the Ore Railway.
1936 The depression years are followed by strong economic growth and LKAB produces more ore than ever.
1940 On 9 April, Narvik is invaded by German forces and the harbour is blown up. Ore traffic is concentrated on Luleå.
1945 World War II comes to an end in May and construction of a new harbour commences in Narvik. Five years later, a new unloading dock is taken into use.
1955 LKAB's first pelletising plant is inaugurated in Malmberget.
1957 The State becomes the owner of 96 percent of the shares in LKAB.
1965 LKAB celebrates its 75th anniversary and inaugurates a new harbour in Luleå, the mine in Svappavaara and the first pelletising plant in Kiruna. Three years later, the pelletising plant in Svappavaara is taken into use.
1969 On 9 December, the miners' strike begins, which develops into the most infamous industrial dispute in Sweden. The strikers return to work after 57 days. The subsequent negotiations resulted for example in a switch to monthly salaries.
1974 The record year for LKAB, in which 30 million tonnes of ore were produced.
1976 LKAB becomes fully nationalised, with AB Statsföretag as the owner. LKAB makes a loss for the year and new employment is halted.
1978 LKAB is forced to apply for a restructuring loan from the government, and the pelletising plant in Kiruna is stopped. In Svappavaara, the plant is operated at a reduced level. It becomes legal for women to work underground.
1981 Olivine pellets start to be manufactured and become a great sales success. The year after, mining ceases in Svappavaara.
1985 LKAB reports a record profit of more than SEK 1 billion.
1990 LKAB celebrates its centenary.
1997 An experimental blast furnace for product development is built in Luleå.
2001 The IORE locomotive, the world's most powerful electric locomotive, is taken into use on the Ore Railway.
2010 The Gruvberget open-pit mine in Svappavaara is inaugurated.
2015 The company celebrates its 125th anniversary.