Ukraine's imports of iron ore down 20 percent in Q1

The Association of Ore Mining Companies of Ukraine (Ukrrudprom) reported that the country's import of iron ore fell 20.1 percent year on year to 458,300 tons in the first quarter of 2006. In the first quarter of 2006, import of iron ore concentrate from Russian Federation increased 44.8 percent to 96,500 tons, while import of sinter decreased 29.2 percent to 146,300 tons. During the same period, Ukraine did not import pellets from Russia. All of Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises, except for Ilyich, decreased imports of iron ore from Russia in the first quarter of 2006. Ilyich increased import of iron ore concentrate 59.2 percent year on year to 312,000 tons in the given period.