MMK plans to increase crude ore output by 20 percent by 2013

The Russian steel producer Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) has announced that in 2010 it increased its production of iron ore for its own needs by 18 percent year on year to 4.68 million mt, and that by 2013 it plans to increase its crude ore output by 20 percent thanks to continued development of its existing mines at Magnitogorsk.
 
Specifically, in 2010, MMK's supplies of captive iron ore from its subsidiary Bakal amounted to 1.421 million mt - up 107 percent, while production of iron ore at its base in Magnitogorsk rose to 1.491 million mt - up four percent, both compared to 2009. Meanwhile, MMK's slag processing in 2010 went down by five percent year on year to 1.767 million mt.
 
MMK has also said that it continues to increase production at Bakal (at the Sosnovsky iron ore field in particular) and to expand processing of tailings. In 2010, MMK revamped its slag processing facility Amcom-1 and commissioned Amcom-3, which will allow it boost processing of tailings in 2011. Overall annual production at the three facilities in operation will be around one million mt of iron ore products.
 
In addition, ММК has stated that it is also expanding its captive iron ore processing facilities. Currently, a program is being implemented which is designed to increase sintering plant capacity by three percent in 2011.