Tenova says its HYL division will supply a DRI Micro-Module to steelmaker Sinosteel for its Empresa Siderúrgica del Mutún (ESM) project in Bolivia.

Tenova HYL’s direct reduction technology will be used for the first stage of the project, which will include a 250,000 t/y direct reduction iron (DRI) facility, a 650,000 t/y concentration plant, a 400,000 t/y pelletising facility for Mina El Mutún and a steel plant with a continuous caster and rolling mill with a total capacity of 190,000 t/y of long steel products.

“This cost-effective Micro Module will use the state-of-the-art ENERGIRON Zero-Reformer (ZR) Process and will be capable of supplying the melt shop with high quality DRI with metallisation levels of 94% and an adjustable high carbon content in the range of 3% to 4%,” the company said.

Rubén Rodríguez, Sales Manager at Tenova HYL, said the contract was very significant, with construction of these facilities being the “cornerstone in what surely is the beginning of the steelmaking industry in Bolivia”.

Stefano Maggiolino, President and CEO at Tenova HYL, said: “After the recent successful projects in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, we are glad that the first DR plant built in South America in the last 20 years will use the state-of-the-art ENERGIRON technology.”

The 250,000 t/y Micro Module plant is expected to be in operation in mid-2021.