OREANDA-NEWS. November 20, 2012. The upgrading of equipment at HBI-2 Plant at Lebedinsky GOK (“LGOK”) (part of METALLOINVEST) has been completed successfully. As a result, the productivity of HBI-2 Plant is set to increase by 4%.

A system of cooling conveyers has been replaced at the plant. According to projections, the new cooling conveyors and a modern vapour system will enable HBI-2 Plant’s productivity to increase by approximately 7.5 tonnes per hour or around 58,000 tonnes per year. In addition, the application of technology for the slow cooling of briquette to the required temperature will lead to the improved fractional composition of briquette and its higher durability. The new equipment was tailor made for LGOK.

Oleg Mikhailov, Managing Director of LGOK, commented: “Upgrades at the HBI Plant’s facilities are in line with METALLOINVEST’s strategic priorities which aim to increase the production of high value-added products. Implementing projects like this one allows the Company to maintain its position as a world leader in the production of merchant HBI.”

HBI-2 Plant came into operation in 2007. The plant uses MIDREX® technology for the direct reduction of iron ore. At present, the Plant produces 1.4 million tonnes of HBI per year and is the largest in the world. In 2011, 2.42 million tonnes of products were made at two HBI plants.