Mikhailovsky GOK expands pellet production capacity

The construction of Pellet Plant #3 is the first of its kind in both scale and significance. Investments in the project amounted to more than 16 billion roubles. The project will enable Mikhailovsky GOK to increase its pellet production capacity by 50%, or by 5 million tonnes per year. This will create approximately 600 new jobs in the region.
Andrey Varichev, CEO of Management Company Metalloinvest, Alexander Mikhailov, Governor of the Kursk region, and Sergey Kretov, Managing Director of Mikhailovsky GOK, attended the ceremonial launch to mark the first commissioning of equipment.

Andrey Varichev commented: «We will substantially increase our pellet production capacity to 15 million tonnes per year with the launch of the third pellet plant. Increased output of this product in high demand among steelmakers will strengthen our market position and the financial position of the factory, which is the main business contributor to the socio-economic development of the Kursk region. It will create extra jobs in Zheleznogorsk and increase tax revenue for the Kursk region.»
Alexander Mikhailov said: «The successful development of Mikhailovsky GOK provides the foundation for the successful development of the entire Kursk region. Today’s launch is a further step in improving the region’s industrial potential and increasing its investment attractiveness.»

The construction of the pellet plant is the largest project implemented in partnership with Russian machine manufacturers. The main supplier of equipment is Uralmashplant. Other Russian and foreign manufacturers also took part in production, including IZTM, Rudgormash, Ormeto-YUMZ.

The most up-to-date technological solutions and equipment set the new pellet plant apart. It has automatic control systems for technological parameters and to manage the production process, a more comprehensive system of gas-air streams, which ensures minimal emissions into the atmosphere, and improved production and energy efficiency. Russia’s NPVP Torex, a research and production company, developed the unique technology.

The process system includes all production process operations, transportation and shipment of pellets. The pellet plant includes: a concentrate admission and compression section; a unit for pelletising, roasting, sorting and storage of pellets, air purification facilities, a section for pellet shipments, as well as external infrastructure.

Sergey Kretov added: «It is no exaggeration to say that today is the most important event in the history of Mikhailovsky GOK. Despite a backdrop of economic crisis and problems in the sector, we are successfully implementing Metalloinvest’s investment project on an unprecedented scale at Mikhailovsky GOK».