Metalloinvest says it has launched Derrick fine screening technology at its Mikhailovsky GOK mine, in Russia, as part of a major project to improve the quality of the operation’s iron ore concentrate.

The first technological phase of the ore concentrate project was launched at Mikhailovsky GOK beneficiation plant during an official ceremony (pictured) attended by Nazim Efendiev, First Deputy CEO, Sales Director, Management Company Metalloinvest; Mitchell Derrick, CEO of Derrick; Miron Boris, General Manager of Thrane Teknikk (exclusive representative of Derrick in Russia and CIS); Sergey Kretov, Managing Director of Mikhailovsky GOK; and Mikhail Aksenov, chairman of the Committee for Industry, Trade and Small Business Development of Russia’s Kursk region.

On the same day, an agreement was signed with Thrane Teknikk to supply Derrick equipment for the second stage of the project, which will see the construction of a new building for beneficiation of concentrate at the beneficiation plant.

Efendiev said the introduction of fine screening technology is an important part of the comprehensive program to improve iron ore products at Mikhailovsky GOK.

“Improvements in the quality of concentrate will enable the enterprise to produce premium quality pellets in line with international standards,” he said. “Mikhailovsky GOK products will enter the top league, allowing access to new sales markets. The enterprise will also reduce its impact on the environment and will increase production efficiency.”

Mitch Derrick said the company’s partnership with Metalloinvest began in 2005 and, since that time, the two have worked together at Mikhailovsky and Lebedinsky to ensure significant efficiency gains in the production of high-grade iron ore concentrate with Derrick’s 5-Deck StackSizer® screens.

“I am extremely happy that we are furthering this important alliance with Metalloinvest’s decision to utilise Derrick’s newly offered 8-Deck SuperStack™ High-Frequency Screens at Mikhailovsky,” he said. According to the Derrick chief, this solution offers over twice the capacity of traditional units in a similar footprint, which significantly reduces both the upfront installation costs and ongoing operating and maintenance costs.

During the first stage of the project, Derrick fine screening technology was introduced at four technological sections of the beneficiation plant. The design, supply and installation of the equipment, adjustment works and commissioning took place within a period of just one year. The capital expenditures for the first stage exceeded RUB1.2 billion ($18.7 million).

As a result of the first stage of implementation, over 3.7 million tonnes of iron concentrate with an increased iron level of 67% Fe from 65.1% will be produced in 2020 at the fine screening technology section, Metalloinvest says.

The second stage of the project, launched in August 2019, will see construction of a new building for beneficiation of concentrate using Derrick equipment (22 Derrick stack sizers and 44 water pumps, metal constructions, pipelines, supporting equipment).

As a result of the second stage, production of high-quality concentrate with an iron content of 68.7% Fe will amount to 16.9 Mt in 2022. The construction of the new beneficiation building and modernisation of production will enable the processing of complex ores with a higher iron content and will reduce overburden and production costs, according to the company.

Investments in the second stage are projected to be more than RUB12 billion.