OREANDA-NEWS. March 01, 2012. SMR, the biggest Russian FeMo producer announces its key production data for 2011:

FeMo output increased by 6.6% against 2010 boosting to 6,917 tonnes.

Cu concentrate output increased by 7.4% against 2010 and achieved 14,293 tonnes.

In 2011 the Company continued implementation of the previously adopted program for modernization and technical upgrade of its production facilities.

The engineers of the Company had developed and implemented a brand-new process of pulp treatment prior to floatation which resulted in enhanced Cu recovery into Cu concentrate. Thus, Cu recovery into Cu concentrate at Sorsk was increased by 4.5%, and by 10% at Zhireken.

Mo recovery into Mo concentrate was increased at Sorsk by 4% in 2011 due to optimization of Mo floatation circuit.

In 2011 Zhireken commissioned three 130-t BelAZ haultrucks, EKG-8E excavator, and Т-15 bulldozer, which made it possible to increase mined rock figure by 1.1 mln. m3, and accelerate ore mined to 428 Kt.

Ore processed at Zhireken increased by 17% due to installation of METSO lining on MMS autogenous mill. The above measures caused the Beneficiating Plant to go beyond its design capacity and process 3.79 mln. tonnes of ore in 2011.

At Sorsk mining and processing complex three cone fine crushers and one cone secondary crusher were put into operation to reduce Crushing Sections downtime and enhanced their efficiency by 10%. In compliance with the automation program 17 sets of Siemens scales were installed on MShR ball mills

Commenting on performance indicators 2011, Mr. Pavel Krasovskiy, SMR CEO, noted:

 “In 2011 the Company increased output of the primary commodity and successfully completed the technical upgrade program.

In 2011 we expanded our resource base through the acquisition of the development license for Agaskyr Property.  In 2012 the Company will start working on project documentation for the development of Agaskyr Property and carry out confirmatory exploration”.