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| Ukraine |
“Global iron and steel mills are gradually switching from the use of low-quality iron ore raw materials, selecting more environment-friendly and cost-effective products with a higher Fe content and a minimum of harmful impurities. And the highest interest among them represent pellets, suitable for steel production without blast furnaces (DRI technology). In order to meet the consumers` demands and be a cost-efficient enterprise, we need to offer products of a new quality. Central GOK has reached a strategic milestone and is able to produce a concentrate with 70.5% Fe. Our next goal is to produce a pellet suitable for DRI technology.” Leonid Mikhida
Head of Technology and Quality Department
Metinvest-Central GOK
Metinvest Group has implemented a large-scale project on upgrading of concentrating plant for the production of a premium class concentrate with 70.5% Fe at Central GOK. This allowed to create the first fabrication line for the production of a high-grade pellet for DRI technology (direct reduction of iron) in Ukraine.
This production line has been being upgraded since the spring of 2019. Within this period was erected a fine screening and de-watering area, and updated one of the sections of the concentrating mill.
Modern equipment allows further benefication of ordinary concentrate in order to receive a final product with 70.5% Fe. This specific kind of raw material is required for pellet production, that is used in DRI technology.
Leonid Mikhida, Head of Technology and Quality Department at Central GOK:
“Global iron and steel mills are gradually switching from the use of low-quality iron ore raw materials, selecting more environment-friendly and cost-effective products with a higher Fe content and a minimum of harmful impurities. And the highest interest among them represent pellets, suitable for steel production without blast furnaces (DRI technology). In order to meet the consumers` demands and be a cost-efficient enterprise, we need to offer products of a new quality. Central GOK has reached a strategic milestone and is able to produce a concentrate with 70.5% Fe. Our next goal is to produce a pellet suitable for DRI technology.”
Dmitry Shevchik, General Director of Central GOK:
“A large-scale project on upgrading of processing facility equipment has finished at our enterprise. This Central mill is the first Ukrainian GOK that is equipped with a pellet production line for DRI technology. The new product will improve production efficiency and our competitiveness at the global iron ore market. It is our common achievement and victory for our team. Mastering of new markets and deals with customers are waiting for us in the nearest future.”
Metinvest’s Central GOK is the first in Ukraine to equip the beneficiation area with KDF-90 ceramic filters. Installation of new vacuum filters is part of a large-scale project of the enterprise for the production of pellets for the making of direct reduction iron (DRI). Investments in modernization amounted to 5 million US dollars.
The new equipment allows reducing the cost of iron ore processing. The operation of the filters is supported by a stand-alone unit with the pump, which ensures energy savings of 640 kWh vs. the dismantled DOO-100 fabric filters. KDF-90 can be supplied with a thicker mass for drying, which reduces the consumption of process water. Ceramic consumables require replacement every year and a half, while fabric replacement was required every month.
Alexander Sidletsky, Head of the Ore Beneficiation Plant at Metinvest’s Central GOK:
“Following the installation of Derrick Screens at the plant, we will be producing a finer ground product. And the new vacuum filters will determine the final properties of the concentrate, its humidity, in particular. If previously it was 9.4%, it will now drop to 8.2-8.4%. Now we are performing set up operations on the new equipment, selecting the optimal mode of its operation. The ceramic filters have already demonstrated double productivity vs. their fabric equivalents.”
Ceramic filter elements are designed to produce 80 to 120 tons of concentrate per hour. For comparison, the old equipment production rate was 30-40 tons per hour. The new filters will be part of the technological process set up to produce a concentrate with Fe 70.5%.
Dmitry Shevchik, General Director of PrJSC CGOK:
“Central GOK is developing the production of new class pellets, which are in demand in the international market. The overhaul of the enrichment plant sections, installation of new equipment and the earlier repair of the pelletizing plant are all part of a large-scale strategic project that opens up new opportunities for the development of Central GOK and its team.”