Bratsk Ferroalloy Plant
History
The plant’s history dates back to 1987, when it was a crystalline silicon shop of Bratsk’s aluminum plant. Silicon and its compounds were widely used in electronics to produce semi-conductors and solar batteries, and in 1970s the Soviet Union came to feel its lack, which prompted construction of thermal-electric shop.
1987-1998
The crystalline silicon shop withdrew from the aluminum plant and became an independent enterprise. By then its chief produce was high-grade ferrosilicon.
2003
Mechel Group acquires the plant.
2007
In order to ensure the plant its own supply, Mechel won the tender for the rights to utilize the subsoil plot on the Uvatsk deposit of quartzite and quartz sandstones with reserves estimated at 7 million tonnes. The Uvatsk deposit is located in the Irkutsk Region, approximately 24 kilometers from the town of Nizhneudinsk. Industrial exploitation of the Uvatsk quartzite deposit is due to be launched in the second half of 2011, once the reserves receive state registration.
2008
Bratsk Ferroalloy Plant signs the contract for the delivery of four 33-mVA ore-thermal ovens to replace those currently in place. Reconstruction will be held throughout 2011–2012. Once complete, the plant’s production capacity will grow by 30%, while its energy consumption will go down by 10–13%.
2010
Bratsk Ferroalloy Plant began test melting of an industrial probe of quartzites from the plant’s own resource base, the Uvatsk deposit. The intermediate results showed that the Uvatsk deposit’s reserves are suitable for production of ferrosilicon with 65% silicon content, which is most in demand.
2011
As part of the plant’s integrated modernization, its first electric arc ferroalloy furnace was installed.
2012
The plant received its first delivery of ore from the Uvatsk quartzite deposit. With the deposit’s launch, the plant became fully internally sourced with ore needed for production of high-quality ferrosilicon.
2013
As part of Mechel Group’s reorganization of its ferroalloy division, the plant passed under the steel division (Mechel-Steel Management Company OOO)’s control.
2014
The plant increased output of high-quality ferrosilicon FS-75. Some 80% of this product is marketed abroad.
At the gas cleaning installation #1, 7,200 filters were replaced, which enabled the plant to bring its air purification rate to 99.6%.
2016
The plant began upgrading its ferroalloy furnace #3, which upgrade will increase the furnace’s production rate by 30%.
2017
Bratsk Ferroalloy Plant completed the technical upgrade of its ore thermal furnace #3. These works were the next stage of the major reconstruction of the plant’s smelting facilities.
Bratsk Ferroalloy Plant launched a new flaker and storage deck for lumber. Replacing old equipment with more efficient new one enables the plant to significantly bring down production costs.
2020