Agricola
Agricola focuses on the surface properties of mineral particles. During 2001–2005, fourteen PhD students have been engaged in comminution of minerals and rocks, mineral surface reactions and modelling, minerals bio-processing and metallurgical properties of iron ore pellets. A new phase is planned starting in 2006.
Centre for Aggregate Research
With strong support of Swedish Road Administration, LKAB and Boliden, LTU is organising a research centre for rock aggregates and its utilization for road construction. The research is focussed on improvement of the longevity of roads and to decrease maintenance cost for the network of roads
Hjalmar Lundbohm Research Center
In 2004, LKAB donated SEK 100 million to Luleå University of Technology. The purpose of HLRC is to:
• Support LKAB’s R&D strategy and thereby help ensure the company’s continued strong competitiveness on the world market
• Support and strengthen research at LTU in areas of importance for LKAB
• Improve recruitment of students to LTU in study programmes of importance for LKAB
Research is conducted in four areas: Mining – Enrichment, Particle Technology, Metallurgy and Process IT.
LTU Mineral economics
Natural sciences and engineering, with a strong emphasis on mining and energy, have always formed the core activity at Luleå University of Technology. The launch of an Economics Research Program took place in 1992 and has been characterized by:
• a clear international orientation;
• a strong emphasis on applied, policy-oriented work; and
• a decisive focus on natural resources and energy.
Luleå Railway Research Center
Luleå Railway Research Center (JVTC) is focusing on development of operation and maintenance within the railway sector. The R&D purpose is to increase the capacity of maintenance in consideration of the long-term value of the infrastructure.
Mimer
Mimer focuses on minimisation, recycling and reuse of waste products from the mineral and metal industry, plus recovery of valuable metals and minerals from end-of-life products. A new phase is planned starting in 2006.
MinBas
MinFo, SBMI and the Research Institute for the stone industry have co-operated concerning R&D since the 90′ies. The co-operation is through a joint company MinBas AB with the purpose to support and manage the sector relevant R&D for industrial minerals, aggregates and dimensional stone. MinBas AB has executed the MinBas Programme 2003-3005 and is also responsible for planning new development efforts like participation in the sector negotiations with the Government, planning of the MinBAs II Programme, co-operation in the EU R&D, for example the Technology Platform Sustainable Mineral Resources.
Process-IT Innovations
Process IT Innovations is a joint venture between Luleå University of Technology, the mining industry, the forest industry, the steel industry the paper industry and power utilities to develop IT for the process industry.
Promote
Promote is a research centre for management of innovation and technology in the process industry. The research areas are process, product and applications development as well as production differentiation and production flexibility.
Rock Tech Centre
Rock Tech Centre is a company which is taking over the project portfolio put together by the EU project Gellivare Hard Rock Research. The current shareholders in RTC are LKAB, Boliden, Atlas Copco, NCC and Reflex Instrument. Representatives of LTU and Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB (Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Co) are on the board of directors. The purpose of the company is to identify and solve rock engineering problems and skilfully transfer the solutions to practical applications in hard rock.
Swebrec
Swebrec works to increase understanding of how explosives work and the most efficient way to use explosives in rock, as well as how to reduce their environmental impact.