Metso has been selected to supply OAO Severstal with a complete rotary drying system for an iron ore plant upgrade project at the Olkon mine in Olenegorsk, Russia. The high-capacity single-line system will replace multiple existing rotary dryers. Metso’s delivery also includes a modern automation system, which will enable tighter control of the process. The contract’s cost was not disclosed.
The new drying system, according to Metso, will improve the mine’s performance by implementing the latest technologies in air filtration and burner management. This will result in lower fuel consumption and reduced operational and maintenance costs, as well as minimize particulate emissions.
“Metso was the only supplier with the ability to offer a very high-capacity single-line system,” said Yuri Pedan, key account manager for Russia at Metso’s Pyro, Mining and Construction group.
The drying system will dry high-grade iron ore concentrate at a rate of 625 mt/h in one processing line. The delivery consists of a direct-fired rotary dryer, including process and equipment design, firing system, air pollution control equipment, instrumentation, plant control system and project management.
Metso said the contract is included in its Mining and Construction Q42012 orders received, and delivery will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2013.
OAO Severstal is a major vertically integrated steel and steel-related mining company, with assets in Russia, the U.S., Ukraine, Latvia, Poland, Italy, Liberia and Brazil. Severstal’s crude steel production in 2011 was 15.3 million mt.
