“BaselCement-Pikalyovo”, launched in the beginning of June, is operating in the routine mode, “BaselCement” informed.

 

Dynamic works on alumina production recovery at “BaselCement- Pikalyovo” were resumed on 8 June 2009 – 2,330 employees of the enterprise returned from forced leave and proceeded to equipment adjustment and preparation to launching. The work has been carried out in three shifts.

 

Production launching was executed ahead of the schedule, agreed upon by the Situation Control Centre on recovery of Pikalyovsky production complex of Russian Ministry of Industry and Commerce. According to the scope of the schedule, the company is obliged to launch gradually (within 3-month term – 3 kilns in June, one in July, and the 5th – in August) all 5 kilns for alumina production. Thus by the end of August the enterprise is to reach its full capacity. First three kilns were put in operation ahead of the schedule by several days.

 

9 June 2009 – the enterprises, formerly constituting Pikalyovsky production complex – “Pikalyovsky Cement”, “Metakhim”, “BaselCement-Pikalyovo” and nepheline concentrate supplier “Apatit” (Murmansk region) – signed 3-month agreements which allow resuming raw material supplies form Murmansk region as well as production resumption on the three Pikalyovo enterprises. All members of the production string agreed upon their production plans and payment schedules for 3 months.

 

The next day, on 10 June, first consist with nepheline concentrate from Murmansk region arrived to Pikalyovo. The enterprise started raw material discharge and launching process equipment of the charge preparation section. Nepheline concentrate and limestone delivered from the own mine of the enterprise were used for production of the required quantity of limy-nepheline charge for the sintering kilns. Also, preparation to shaft kiln firing for lime production was started. Sintering kiln №1 was put for heating.

 

11 June 2009 – “BaselCement – Pikalyovo” launched the shaft kiln for lime burning.

 

12 June 2009 – Pikalyovo heating station, financed by “BaselCement-Pikalyovo”, put the second boiler in operation and launched the second turbine. Hot water and heating supply of the town and of all enterprises of the production complex – “Metakhim” and “Pikalyovsky Cement” - was carried out in the routine mode.

 

In the scope of work on graded launch of all plant departments on 13-14 June two sintering kilns (№1 and №3) were put in operation in alumina department after pre-heating. Limy-nepheline charge delivery to the kilns was started. In several hours the kilns started putting out sinter, which after accumulation in the required volume was put forward for leaching, where due to hydro chemical redistribution three products are produced - carbonated solution, belite slurry and aluminum hydroxide.

 

15 June 2009 – equipment on leaching and carbonation sections was launched gradually. Work on hydro-chemical redistribution was started and on 17 June during technological treatment the first party of aluminum hydroxide (250 tonnes) was produced. The same day the third sintering kiln (№4) was fired in alumina department.

 

18 June 2009 – “BaselCement-Pikalyovo” started supplying “Metakhim” JSC with carbonated solution. For the first 24 hours over 900 m3 of the carbonated solution were transported to the company. Since that moment carbonated solution supplies to “Metakhim” have been carried out in the non-stop mode.

 

20 June 2009 – “BaselCement-Pikalyovo” started shipping conditioned belite sludge to “Pikalyovsky Cement”. Over the end of the week over 1 thousand tonnes were shipped. Besides, aluminum hydroxide shipment to consumers was started.

 

As of 30 June 2009 – 3,670 tonnes of aluminum hydroxide were produced, 16,260 m3 of standard carbonated solution were shipped to “Metakhim” JSC, and 10,796 tonnes of belite slurry were shipped to “Pikalyovsky Cement” JSC.

 

1 July 2009 - “BaselCement-Pikalyovo” fired the calcination kiln for alumina production.