Metinvest resumes construction of thickening complex at Northern Mining

The €23.6 million project will reduce costs and the environmental footprint of the plant

The construction of a state-of-the-art thickening complex for beneficiation waste is underway at Northern Mining and Processing Plant (Northern Mining, Metinvest Group). The facility is located on the territory of the process water and sludge management shop. It will allow the company to reduce costs, cut energy consumption, reduce water consumption and reduce the environmental footprint. This is stated in a press release by Metinvest.Media.

Metinvest received a loan of €23.6 million to implement the project. The loan was provided by Deutsche Bank with the support of the Finnish export credit agency Finnvera, and the equipment is supplied by Metso Finland. The project was developed by Metinvest Sichstal.

The concept of expanding the existing tailings facility using thickening technology was approved back in 2015. Implementation began in 2021, but the outbreak of a full-scale war suspended construction. Work resumed in July 2024. Equipment has been put back into operation at the site, and excavation, pile foundation and grillage construction are underway.

«The biggest challenge is the lack of qualified personnel. Some specialists are currently working at the front. We also face constant risks of shelling, so we have set up shelters. We use generators for power supply,» said project manager Volodymyr Sydorov.

By the end of 2025, the company plans to complete the key construction stages and start installing equipment. The pulp thickening complex will be launched in three stages, and the construction is planned to be completed by the end of 2027.

«This project opens up new prospects for Northern GOK: it allows us to reduce production costs, increase profitability and strengthen our position in the iron ore market,» said Dmitry Nepomnyashchy, Director of Capital Construction and Investments.

Earlier, the company announced an 11.5-year, €23.6 million buyer’s credit facility for Northern Iron Ore Enrichment Plant in Kryvyi Rih. The loan is guaranteed by the Finnish export credit agency Finnvera. Deutsche Bank acted as the sole arranger and lender, with legal support provided by Norton Rose Fulbright.