MMK enters joint venture to execute major project

Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Combine (MMK) has teamed up with Sokolovsk-Sarbaisk Mining and Processing Plant to build a factory in Kazakhstan, one of Russia’s biggest joint-venture projects in that country. The plant, which has a projected capacity of about 2 million tons per year, is expected to start operations at the end of next year.

NLMK spends 70 million rubles to repair Aglomashina No. 1

Novolipetsk Metallurgical Kombine, the largest plant in Europe, has completed the repair of Aglomashina No. 1 at a cost of about 70 million rubles. The upgraded facility, which has a production capacity of 3 million tons per year, will increase NLMK’s annual production of agglomerates by 40,000-50,000 tons per year.

NorNickel to export 90 percent of nickel next year

Norisk Nickel, a global nickel producer, says it will export up to 90 percent of nickel production in 2005.

Rusal receives $800 million loan

Rusal, Russia’s global aluminum giant, has received an $800 million, five-year syndicated loan, the biggest credit to date for a Russian metallurgical plant. The loan, which is divided into three- and five-year tranche, is secured with the plant’s aluminum exports. Interest rates are, respectively, 2.62 percent and 3.25 percent.

Tulachemet becomes more environment-friendly

Tulachemet, a Tula-based metallurgical plant, has stopped dumping its industrial wastes into a nearby river. Instead, the plant has installed a 2 million-ruble facility that will fully reutilize the over 2.5 million cubic meters of industrial water and wastage, thereby preventing pollution of the environment.

MMMZ installs wires encasing facility

Magnitogorsk Hardware and Metallurgical Plant (MMMZ) has installed a facility that will enable it to encase wires in zinc coating, at a cost of 103 million rubles. The facility, made by the Canada-based ICE Group, will allow MMMZ to produce 21,000 tons of glittering zinc-coated wire per year.