Mechel PAO, one of Russia’s leading mining and metals companies, reported on September 17, 2020 that a major campaign of repairs is underway at the washing plants of its mining division. The total cost amounts to more than one billion rubles.

The most extensive repairs are carried out in the Neryungrinskaya washing facility, which is part of the Yakutugol Holding Company. The main repair phase was completed in September. As part of the repair campaign, the plant replaced and restored trunk conveyors and conveyor belts at the final product loading area. Yakutugol’s specialists and contractors installed three new sizing screens and overhauled nine others. Furthermore, three new centrifuges have been commissioned to remove excess moisture from coal concentrate. The plant’s sludge pumps have been replaced. Five new magnetic tubes are to be purchased by 2021. The plant is also planning to repair two drying machines, one of which was completed in September and the second went into operation in October.

The Krasnogorskaya washing plant of the Southern Kuzbass Coal Company acquired seven new vibration and high-frequency screens, 14 pumps, and a coarse magnetic layer. Two magnetic roughing machines and five belt conveyors underwent a major overhaul. The plant operators plan to replace two vibratory centrifuges, three screens, and other equipment by 2021. The Southern Kuzbass Coal Company’s Sibir washing plant installed several new pieces of machinery and equipment, including a vibrating centrifuge and a pumping station.

Another washing plant of the Southern Kuzbass Coal Company, Kuzbasskaya, replaced two rotors of a screen bowl centrifuge and a basket wheel on a separator. A large-scale belt replacement campaign is currently underway on the main lines of the plant. By the end of the year, the plant plans to upgrade its pumping equipment and repair the equipment washing system.

Another Kuzbass washing plant, the Tomusinskaya, replaced two coal pumps, a centrifugal dryer, and a turbofan blower. Continuous handling system equipment has also been repaired. Another centrifuge, two conveyor belt feeders, and other equipment will be replaced by the end of the year.

The washing plant of the Korshunov mine put into operation throw screens for screening iron ore and two electrical pumps to ensure the continuous operation of the exhaust air ducts and the extinguishing water pipe. The plant will purchase four magnetic roughers and 12 hydro-cyclones for washing operations.

“The modernization of our washing facilities is a key condition for increasing production performance and improving the reliability of our facilities, that is, for the production of concentrates, both coal and iron ore. We export a large proportion of our finished products, so we strive to ensure consistent high quality,” said Igor Khafizov, CEO of Mechel Mining Management.