Metalloinvest issues 2006 production results

The Russian steel and iron ore producer Metalloinvest Holding (Metalloinvest) has released its 2006 production results. Accordingly, during the period in question Metalloinvest's iron ore segment, which consists of Lebedinsky GOK and Mikhailovsky GOK, increased its iron ore concentrate production by 6.7 percent, its pellets production by 6.4 percent, its HBI production by 6.8 percent, its sintering ore production by 79.7 percent and its blast furnace ore production by 50 percent year on year. The respective figures in metric tons were 38.1 million, 19.7 million, one million, 2.2 million and 747,300. On the other hand, regardless of the massive reconstruction during 2006 at the company's steel division, which consists of OEMK and Ural Steel, it was able to maintain its 2005 production level. In particular, OEMK and Ural Steel jointly produced 6.3 million metric tons of crude steel and 4.8 million metric tons of finished steel products in 2006.