Metinvest Group has undertaken large-scale upgrades to its Central GOK project in order to a produce premium class concentrate with 70.5pc iron.
The upgrade abetted the installation of the first fabrication line to produce a high-grade pellet for DRI (direct reduction of iron) technology in Ukraine. Since construction on the production line began last year, a fine screening and de-watering area has been erected and part of a concentrating mill has been updated.
Modern equipment allows additional processing to the site’s ordinary concentrate and delivers a final product with 70.5pc iron.
Leonid Mikhida, head of technology and quality department at Central GOK, stated that global steel mills have gradually gone from using low-quality iron ore raw materials to higher quality iron ores because they’re more environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the steelmaking process. This has increased demand for pellets, which are suitable for steel production without blast furnaces. In order to meet consumers’ demands and be a cost-efficient enterprise, Metinvest is focusing on offering new products with higher iron quality as part of its long-term strategy.
Dmitry Shevchik, general director of Central GOK, announced that the project’s upgrades will improve the company’s competitiveness in the global iron ore market. The new 70.5pc product line is expected to grow the firm’s customer base.