The new iron ore crushing and classification plant acquired by Bolivian iron ore and steel complex El Mutun (ESM), has completed assembly and will start operations soon, according to CEO Jorge Alvarado Rivas.
Rivas mentioned that the new equipment, which took four months to assemble, will increase the monthly iron ore production of ESM from today’s 10,000 mt to 100,000 mt. The new plant will have lumps as main product, in the 10 mm to 40 mm thickness range, and also material of less than 10 mm in thickness.
According to analysts, lumps are highly valued in South America today, due to shortage of the product in the mines. Its premium over equivalent sinter feed fines is currently estimated at $6.9/mt.
The investments destined to the new equipment, including ancillary items, is estimated at $3.02 million.
