[2] LKAB operates iron ore mines in Kiruna, Svappavaara and Malmberget in Norrbotten County, Sweden.

Most of the output is transported by rail to the ice-free Port of Narvik, a route named the Northern Circuit.

Operations are handled by LKAB's subsidiary Malmtrafik i Kiruna (MTAB) in Sweden, and Malmtrafikk (MTAS) in Norway.

[6][7] Iron ore is also transported from Northland Resources' mine in Kaunisvaara to Narvik, started in small scale December 2012.

[8] CargoNet operates two daily container trains from Alnabru Terminal in Oslo, Norway, named the Arctic Rail Express (ARE).

However, the line was built with an inadequate standard, and the mining company lacked sufficient funds to finance the upgrades.

The line was completed in November 1902 and was officially opened on 14 July 1903 by King Oscar II.

[1] In December 1991, LKAB stated that they wanted to take over the operation of the ore trains from NSB and SJ.

While SJ had several times during the 1980s agreed to reduce their rates, NSB had not offered the same, and was making a profit of NOK 60 to 70 million per year.

LKAB had sent an application to Swedish authorities for permission to take over operations, and had received positive feedback from SJ.

[14] In February 1992, a report ordered by Kiruna Municipality recommended that LKAB, SJ and NSB create a common company to operate the ore trains.

At the same time, SJ stated that the consequence of LKAB taking over operation could be that passenger trains on the lines would be terminated.

[16] The following day, SJ and NSB stated that they were considering establishing a joint venture that would take over the operations of the ore trains.

[17] In May 1992, LKAB stated that Norway would, through its membership in the European Economic Area, be required to allow any train operator to run trains on a line, while this was rejected by NSB who stated that this only applied within the European Union, of which Norway was not a member.

[19] In October 1992 the Swedish Ministry of Communications gave the final permission for LKAB to take over operations in their own right.

On 26 October, SJ and NSB signed a new five-year contract with LKAB where the latter would purchase transport services from the two state railway.

[26] In late January, the committee concluded that LKAB met the criteria to receive traffic rights.

The report also showed that 55 jobs would be lost in Narvik and that the Norwegian Railway Inspectorate had concerns regarding the safety of LKAB's operations.

[28] On 28 May, 22 train drivers, all Swedish, took out sick leave in protest towards being forced to switch labor union and receive lower wages and worse pension rights.

The company bought the Dm3-locomotives from SJ, NSB's six El 15 locomotives, and a number of workshops, depots and shunters.

[34] In 1998, LKAB estimated a gradual 35% increase in production until 2005, and demanded that the track owners grant sufficient funding to upgrade the lines from 25-tonne (25-long-ton; 28-short-ton) to 30-tonne (30-long-ton; 33-short-ton) maximum permitted axle load.

Combined with new locomotives, this would give increased efficiency in hauling the ore.[35] The upgrade for the Ofoten Line would cost 180 million Norwegian krone, and would allow LKAB to increase the train weight from 4,100 to 8,600 tonnes (4,000 to 8,500 long tons; 4,500 to 9,500 short tons).

[36] In addition, heavier trains would have to be longer, so sufficient passing loops would have to be upgraded to 790 metres (2,590 ft).

[37] In March, LKAB awarded the contract to build 750 new 100-tonne hopper cars to Transnet of South Africa, after among others Norsk Verkstedindustri had been considered.

[46][47] By 2009, sufficient passing loops had been built along the whole line from Narvik to Luleå to allow all trains to operate with full capacity.

This will increase the capacity from 28 to 33 million tonnes per year, and at the same time reduce the number of departures per day from 21 to 15.

[50] In March 2021 it was announced that Hitachi Rail had been awarded a contract by Trafikverket to roll out ERTMS level 2 signalling system on the line between Gällivare and Boden.