MINEX Forum

Tag: concentrate production

  • Ukrainian Iron Ore Industry Shifts Towards High-Quality Concentrate Production

    Ukrainian Iron Ore Industry Shifts Towards High-Quality Concentrate Production

    Amidst the global push for green steel production, Ukrainian mining and processing plants are urged to enhance the quality of iron ore concentrate, transitioning to higher iron content levels, reports UAprom. This call to action was underscored during the “Iron Ore Deposits of Ukraine: Current Problems and Development Prospects” international conference held at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv on March 21-22, where leading scientists and industry representatives convened.

    Yelena Belan, an expert on iron ore production at Metinvest Group, emphasized the importance of meeting market quality requirements to avoid losing opportunities for product sales and enterprise capacity.

    Ensuring consistent high-quality products with elevated iron content positions Ukrainian enterprises to lead the green modernization of Europe and integrate into the global green metallurgy system.

    Despite the use of low-grade ores with approximately 30% total iron content, Ukrainian iron ore industry relies on extensive processing methods such as crushing, grinding, magnetic separation, flotation, and dewatering to upgrade these ores. The resultant magnetite concentrate with 64-68% iron content undergoes fundamental qualitative changes, making it significantly different from the original ore, noted experts from the Institute of Geology at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

    Concerns regarding the tax treatment of deep processing were also addressed, with experts asserting that magnetite concentrate represents a distinct product compared to the original ore. This sentiment was echoed by scientists from the Semenenko Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy, and Ore Formation of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, emphasizing the need to reconsider rent taxation policies.

    Ukraine witnessed a substantial reduction in iron ore exports in 2023, down by 26% compared to 2022, with raw material exports plummeting by 60% compared to pre-war 2021 levels. Revenues from iron ore exports for Ukrainian companies also experienced a significant decline.

    Major iron ore producers in Ukraine include Ingulets GOK, Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Plant, Poltava Mining, Northern GOK, Central GOK, Southern GOK, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, and Sukha Balka.

  • Adriatic Metals produces first concentrate at Bosnian silver mine – Nasdaq

    Adriatic Metals produces first concentrate at Bosnian silver mine – Nasdaq

    Adriatic Metals ADT1.L, a British-based mining company, announced on Wednesday that it has achieved a significant milestone by producing the first concentrate at its Vares silver project located in central Bosnia.

    Despite initial plans to commence production at the Vares mine in January, the company successfully produced the first concentrate on Tuesday. However, the official opening of the plant is scheduled for March, marking the culmination of six years of exploration efforts and a substantial investment of $200 million.

    Moving forward, the project aims to gradually increase its processing capacity, with plans to reach approximately 65,000 metric tons per month by the fourth quarter of this year, according to the company’s statement.

    To enhance production levels, Adriatic Metals intends to blend high-grade stockpiled ore with lower grade stockpiles, a strategy aimed at optimizing output.

    Anticipating significant output, the company forecasts an annual extraction of around 800,000 tons of polymetallic ore from the Vares mine. This is expected to yield approximately 65,000 tons of lead-silver concentrate and 90,000 tons of zinc concentrate annually. The projected ore export revenue stands at approximately 800 million Bosnian marka ($444 million) per year.