OREANDA-NEWS . September 4, 2012. Denis Manturov, the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, has completed his working visit to Lebedinsky GOK iron ore production facility (part of METALLOINVEST).

Mr. Manturov commented during the visit: “Business has not only returned to pre-crisis levels but, according to the 2011 results, has already overtaken these levels by at least 20%.”

The Minister of Industry and Trade viewed the industrial grounds and descended 400m down a mine to see it in operation. Mr. Manturov also visited Lebedinsky GOK’s concentration plant which last year set a record for its production of iron ore concentrate: 21.8 million tonnes. In addition, he visited the hot briquetted iron (HBI) production complex, with total production capacity of 2.4 million tonnes per year. Lebedinsky GOK is the world’s largest producer of merchant HBI. The launch of a third production facility with an annual capacity of 1.8 million tonnes of hot briquetted iron is currently being planned.

On the eve of Miner’s Day, which will be celebrated for the 65th time this year, the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation congratulated the miners with a professional holiday and presented them with governmental and institutional awards.

In his congratulatory speech to the miners, Manturov noted: “You have devoted your life to one of the most needed and honourable professions. The materials you extract are vital for everyone, are the foundation for many sectors, and, to a large degree, define the competitive advantages of Russian industry. The work of a miner is, first and foremost, characterised by professionalism and the highest level of responsibility. It demands high levels of endurance, dedication and, quite often, genuine courage and heroism.”

Lebedinsky GOK operates one of Europe’s largest iron ore deposits. The company accounts for around a third of all Russian exports of raw materials for steel production.