– We are proud to be the iron ore producer with the lowest environmental footprint in the world. At the same time, we see rising demands from customers and partners, and by setting even more ambitious climate goals, we will strengthen Rana Gruber’s competitiveness in the long term, says Gunnar Moe, CEO of Rana Gruber.
The company has plans to become the world’s first producer of iron ore completely free of CO2 emissions by the end of 2025. With a short way to the port of Gullsmedvik by rail transport, Rana Gruber has a good starting point. Further, the processing of iron ore is already powered by 100 percent renewable energy.
The company is working on an electrification of the machine park, in addition to an investment in partial electrification of the Nordlandsbanen line. Rana Gruber also participates in a pilot project with hydrogen-powered locomotives in collaboration with Sintef, one of Europe’s largest independent research organizations, and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
– Even though emissions are already very low in an industry context, the goal is to be completely emission-free within five years through projects that require some groundbreaking work, but where we want to do our part to start important development both for us and for society, says Moe.
In total, a NOK three-digit million amount is invested in the effort in the short and medium term. The goal is, among other things, to show that solutions that are good for the environment, climate and society also pay off for the business community.
– Long-term investments in greener and more efficient solutions do not only pay off for the environment and climate; it is also financially profitable because it both makes the work more seamless and makes the products more attractive in a market that places ever higher demands, says Moe.
The CEO hopes that the investment can help to show that the mineral industry takes its mandate seriously, and that they too will take part in their efforts to reduce CO2 emissions on a national and global basis.
– Many and large technological processes and thorough considerations for the environment and climate lay the foundation for today’s mineral extraction. The measures we will implement are going to secure the future of Rana Gruber and our almost 300 jobs, says Moe.