Northern Mining overhauled 4.5 km of railroad tracks in 2024

Last year, Metinvest Group’s Northern Mining and Processing Plant (Northern GOK) allocated more than UAH 42 million to overhaul 4.5 km of railway tracks. Metinvest.Media reports.

Last year, the company overhauled 4.2 km of tracks and 12 sets of switches located on the territory of Pervomaisky open pit mine and the finished goods export shop of the railway transport department to ensure the reliability of rail transportation.

The upgrade involved the complete dismantling of the old track, cleaning of the rail and sleeper grid and laying of the track using machinery.

Olexander Skiba, head of the track maintenance and repair shop at Northern Mining’s railroad department, noted that the railroad is a key component of the plant’s logistics, and a significant amount of cargo is delivered by these routes.

According to him, the amount of work carried out by the shop last year was 1.5 times higher than in 2023.

“The last time the tracks and switches were repaired was more than 15 years ago, so there was a need for a large-scale restoration, which the shop team carried out during the year. Our employees ensure the stable operation of the railway: the division’s teams ensure the safe transportation of ore and overburden from the pits, as well as finished products throughout the year. All the measures taken are aimed at upgrading the shop’s capacities and ensuring efficient operation in the future,” summarized Skiba.

Currently, the length of the extensive track network at Northern Mining is almost 300 km. The track maintenance and repair shop established in 2022 takes care of them. More than 500 railroad switches are also under the attention of specialists. Alongside the overhauls, the shop’s teams carry out the relevant routine maintenance work on an ongoing basis.

The company’s plans for the current year include the restoration of 5.7 km of tracks and 18 turnouts. The work will be carried out at the Pervomaisky and Ganovsky quarries and at the finished goods export shop of the UZT.

Last fall, Northern Mining upgraded the equipment of ore processing plants No. 1-2.