SILA - Narvik new iron ore harbour
On behalf of LKAB, LNS is in the process of constructing the SILA facility in Narvik. This project will provide LKAB with twelve new silos for storing various iron ore products. The silos, which are blasted out of the rock, have a diameter of 38 meters and a depth of 60 meters. The project is massive, and quite unique on a global scale.
LKAB, which is an international minerals group, transports iron ore by train from Kiruna in Sweden to Narvik, from where it ships to international markets.
The expansion was prompted by the inadequacies of the existing ore storage facility, which is old, outdated, and expensive to operate. The new facility will be more cost efficient and more environmentally friendly, and will reduce the amount of dust and noise affecting the population of Narvik.
In addition to twelve silos, the contract involves the construction of an unloading hall 600 meters long and a 2.8-kilometer tunnel for transporting iron ore from the silos to the harbour.
The contract amount is approx. NOK 724 million. A total of 300 workers have been involved in the project, which is estimated to be completed in the fall of 2009.
The project is a turn-key contract and is managed as a partnering agreement between LNS and LKAB.
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Facts about the project |
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Project name |
SILA Narvik New iron ore Harbour |
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Employer |
LKAB - Sweden |
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Type of project |
Underground silos for storing iron ore |
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Location |
Narvik, Norway |
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Contract period |
January 2006 - September 2009 |
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Form of contract |
Partnering contract |
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Value |
NOK 724 million |
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Description |
12 underground silos, diameter 38 m, depth approx. 60 m. Tunnel systems approx. 2.5 km. A total of approx. 850,000 m³ rocks have been blasted underground, as well as excavation of approx. 200,000 m³ of uncompacted material. Concrete constructions, concrete silos, deliveries and assembly of mechanical devices, electrical and control systems as well as installations for vacuuming, cooling, water and sewage, ventilation and hydraulics. Iron ore from the mines in Kiruna is transported by train to Narvik, and the iron ore is dumped directly from the railway wagons in to the underground silos. The iron ore from the silos goes on to a conveyor belt and directly on board the ships. Loading of ships in Narvik new ore harbor will be very efficient with an extremely low cost per ton. Each year, 25 million tons of irons are shipped out of Narvik. |