Russian steelmaker Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) is preparing to buld a new sinter plant in Magnitogorsk worth an estimated RUB22 billion (USD390 million).

The current works include driving piles, laying foundations and installing the required metal structures. The installation of the main technological equipment is planned for March this year.

According to MMK, work on-site began in December 2016 with construction of electric substation No. 68. Currently, 90% of construction and wiring are completed and by end January – early February, it will be connected to the high voltage line. By the end of February it will be ready for additional voltage supply for the construction site of the sinter plant. Currently, the builders are fully supplied with a temporary supply of electricity.

Last December, MMK received around 2,500 tonnes of equipment from the Chinese company Sinosteel, total deliveries of which should amount to 22,000 tonnes. The installation of the main technological equipment is scheduled for March, firstly on sinter machines No. 1 and No. 2.

The general contractors for construction work are JSC Montazhnik, JSC Prokatmontazh, LLC Stroitelnyi Kompleks, LLC Maglin and LLC OKS are the general construction contractors and the project is managed by JSC Magnitogorsk Gipromez.

The contract for the supply of equipment for sinter plant No. 5 was signed with Sinosteel on 2 November 2016 and was signed by MMK CEO Pavel Shilyaev and Sinosteel Chairman Lu Pengcheng. The cost of contract equipment amounts to RUB 6.7 billion (USD120 million).

The commissioning of a new sinter plant with a production capacity of 5.5Mt of stabilised cooled sintered steel is planned for the end of 2019.