Kazakhstan-based mining group Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation Plc. (ENRC) has announced that in Q4 2010 it increased its ferroalloy output by 5.6 percent year on year and by 0.4 percent quarter on quarter to 473,000 mt, while its iron ore extraction saw a slight increase of 2.2 percent year on year but a 0.1 percent drop quarter on quarter to 1.876 million mt.
In Q4 2011, ENRC achieved year-on-year output increases for all products, except ferrosilicon, which remained steady, and silicomanganese, which saw a 10.4 percent drop due to planned repairs of one of ENRC's five furnaces. The group's ferrochrome output in Q4 amounted to 373,000 mt, increasing by 6.3 percent year on year
As regards its iron ore division, ENRC said that in the full year of 2010 there was a shift in demand from pellet to lower cost concentrate, relative to 2009. However, in Q4 2010 there were signs of a recovery in pellet demand, impacting its production mix. As a result, in Q4, the group's saleable concentrate production was 2.013 million mt - up 4.4 percent year on year, but down 23.3 percent quarter on quarter, while its pellet production amounted to 2.132 million mt - down 7.1 percent year on year, but up 27 percent quarter on quarter.
"Our operations in Kazakhstan performed strongly and were at effectively full available capacity in Q4 2010. The group continues to be focused on optimizing production levels, as well as taking steps to maintain its advantageous cost position," ENRC's CEO Felix J. Vulis said.