OREANDA-NEWS. In the first quarter of 2007 merchantable output of Kovdorsky GOK, a subsidiary of EuroChem, was RUR 2,1 bn worth (in comparable prices), having exceeded the scheduled output by 0,93 %, however down 3,5% from the corresponding figure of the previous year, reported the press-centre of EuroChem. During January - March this year the enterprise produced 1,268,300 tonnes of iron-ore concentrate (92% of the level for the corresponding period last year); 509,100 tonnes of apatite concentrate (103.67%), and 1,833 tonnes of baddeleyite concentrate (up 6,2% from 2006). A reduction in the iron-ore concentrate output was due to market conditions.


Due to the high demand for merchant-grade purified baddeleyite powder (PB-O), the output of this product was 1,371 tonnes, up 31,7% from the level of 2006. Kovdorsky GOK is a sole in the world producer of baddeleyite concentrate, a unique zirconium-containing raw material used mainly in abrasive and refractory material manufacturing. Kovdorsky GOK product shipments during Q1 2007 took place as scheduled. The consumers received 1,310 tonnes of iron-ore concentrate, 515,000 tonnes of apatite and 1,860 tonnes of baddeleyite concentrate.