Malmtrafik hauls ore from LKAB's mines in Kiruna, Malmberget and Svappavaara to the ports of Luleå and Narvik, the latter located in Norway.

In the late 1980s, LKAB started a process to take over operations and increase efficiency by using heavier and longer trains.

In 1889, the mining company filed for bankruptcy, and the Government of Sweden bought the line for 8 million Swedish krona (SEK), half the investment cost.

[3] In 1988, LKAB demanded further efficiency improvement, and stated that both SJ and NSB were making large profits on the operations.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the number of employees working on the ore logistics had been halved, and NSB stated that they did not believe there was much more room for higher efficiency.

[5] 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.

[6] 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.

[8] 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.

[12] In September, Norwegian Minister of Transport and Communications Kjell Opseth from the Labour Party, stated that it would be "unfortunate" if LKAB should take over the operations.

[15] In October 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.

[21] By February the negotiations were in a deadlock, and SJ and NSB stated that they were issuing an invitation to tender for a new class of locomotives.

[22] In March, LKAB again applied for permit to operate their own trains in Norway and stated that they would only join a joint venture if they were the majority owner.

[26] In December, Kjell Opseth created a committee under the ministry, led by State Secretary Torstein Rudihagen of the Labour Party, which would look at the reorganization, thus postponing the date of the start of operations.

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.

At the same time, the state would give Narvik Municipality economic support and real estate for commercial development.

[31] 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.

NSB's workshop and depot were to be transferred to a new company, Norsk Verkstedindustri, which was intended to create new jobs in Narvik.

[37] 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.

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

[40] 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.

[48][49] 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.

[53] Diagnostic information is available to the driver and can be sent to the control center via GSM-R.[52] Malmtrafik operates 750 hopper cars from two different manufacturers: Transnet and K-Industrier.

They have a power output of 5,406 kilowatts (7,250 hp) and a Co'Co' wheel arrangement, and hauled ore trains in pairs.

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

[45] The lines are single track, electrified at 15 kV  16.7 Hz AC and have automatic train protection.