- We have, through the municipality's actions, ended up in an extreme situation where we can quickly be forced to halve production and notify 500 employees. This situation must be resolved and it must be resolved quickly, says Jan Moström, CEO of LKAB.

The mining company points out that the letter is made with the support of the Planning and Building Act and as protection of the national interest of the Swedish mining industry.

"In violation of our ethical rules"

LKAB writes in a press release that the detailed plan Gruvstadspark 2: 4 is included in the Gruvstadspark 2 agreement between 2014 between Kiruna municipality and with an agreement on a compensation amount from LKAB of SEK 3.74 billion for municipal premises and municipal infrastructure in accordance with the compensation rules in the Minerals Act. The mining company also writes that under the agreement, the municipality will handle the detailed planning process quickly.

stalled

- There are no ambiguities about the detailed plan and it has been prepared by the service personnel and ready for decision since last year. But the assumption has been delayed and linked to a long line of demands and wishes from the municipality, says Jan Moström, adding:
- We cannot participate in a negotiation on the exercise of authority. It is in violation of our ethical rules and, in our opinion, may be a violation of the law.

"No threat"

LKAB writes: “In order to parry the degraded opportunities to run the business, LKAB plans for a production reduction of up to 50 percent which can lead to a notice of up to 500 people. "

- It's not about threats or a way to negotiate. As a company, we have to follow the laws and regulations set by the authorities for our operations and we have to plan according to the conditions that exist, says Stefan Hämäläinen, director of LKAB's social transformation department.