OREANDA-NEWS. June 11, 2013. General Director of MMC Norilsk Nickel Vladimir Potanin took part in the launch of the renovated ore smelting furnace number 2 accompanied by members of the management board of the company and Polar Division executives in the Smelting Workshop of the Nickel Plant

The repairs started in 2011 were handled in full by the subsidiary Norilsknickelremont. Refractory masonry of the shell bottom and walls of the furnace has been completed, furnace framework metal structures have been replaced, feed system, electrodes and gas exhaust ducts have seen major repairs.

Currently three ore smelting furnaces are in operation at the Nickel Plant Smelting Workshop, but after completion of the repair work and heat-up of furnace No 2, four furnaces will be in operation concurrently at the Plant.

Launch of the ore smelting furnace No 2 will enable treatment of approximately 1500 tonnes of feed per day, which will result in additional fine matte produced in the amount of 40-50 tonnes per day. The furnace systems are equipped with controls and automation units which will bring additional safety. The unit will reach designed performance in August. The total amount of investment in the renovation of ore smelting furnace No 2 comes close to 1.9 billion rubles.

Additionally Vladimir Potanin visited the warehouses of Joint Storage Facilities enterprise and Central Heating and Power Plant-1. Together with the members of the management board, executives and specialists of the Company, Vladimir Potanin discussed capital investment projects such as Talnakh Concentrator Plant reconstruction, Taimyrsky Mine renovation and development of the Company’s energy complex.