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Chadormalu |
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Changing the Culture of Mining
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Saeed Salimi,Managing Director of Chador Malu Mining and Industrial
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The
existence of iron ore as the main raw material for steel production can be
considered as an economic advantage and Iran Steel making companies have
enjoyed this advantage which can bring about, not only a decrease in the
expenditure of country’s exchange, but also have a basic role in decreasing
the unit cost of the Steel Products.
History:
Chador Malu mine was discovered in 1940, its geological operation started in
1963 and the detailed exploration phases ended in 1978. After establishment of
the National Iranian Steel Company in 1979, the mine was handed over to the
said company and it’s feasibility studies as well as detailed design works
were conducted in cooperation with a German consultant and finished in 1992.
Measures
related to tender, signing the contract for purchasing the production
equipment and mining machinery were carried out during 1992 to 1994.
Simultaneously, the operation for mine preparation and installation of
industrial equipment and machinery were also started and the processing plant
for the production of iron ore concentrate was commissioned in September 1996.
Subsequently the site was connected to the country’s railway network, and also
the necessary power was supplied from the related network and finally the
commercial production started in 1999.
Chador
Malu Mining and Industrial Complex has been equipped for the production of
iron ore concentrate as a large part of raw material consumptions of domestic
steel making plants and also phosphor concentrate.
The complex is located in 180 kilometers northeast of Yazd city near Tabas
highway.
Mine Specifications:
Chador
Malu mine is comprised of two northern deposits with the length of 1.7 km.
Both deposits are separate in depth and show qualitative mineralogical
changes. Exploitation of the mine is being carried out through open-roof,
stepping method and the height of the steps is about 15m.
Specifications of the mine and quality of iron ore deposits of Chador Malu are
as follows:
Mineral
deposit: 399 million tons
Exploitable deposit: 320 million tons
Mine’s
life: 30 years
Total end
products: 227 million tons
Ratio of
produced ore to unwanted rock: 1.1
Average
iron purity: 55.2 percent
Average
phosphorus purity: 0.94 percent
Average
sulfur purity: 0.19 percent
Average
oxidation grade: 4.02 percent
Shareholders of Chador Malu Mining and Industrial Company:
Chador
Malu Mining and Industrial Company which has recently turned into a public
joint stock company was established to exploit Chador Malu mine and produce
iron ore concentrate through an investment of about 500 billion Rials. Major
shareholders of the company include Omid Investment Management Company, Mines
and Metals Investment Development Company and Iranian Mines and Mining
Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO).
Current Iron Ore Production and Development Plans:
Chador
Malu Mining and Industrial Company has three concentrate production lines and
produces more than 4.2 million MT/Y. After establishment of the fourth line
that would take three years, the company would be able to increase its annual
production more than 5.6 million MT/Y, And also this company produces about
one million tons Lump and Fine ore for blast furnaces of Isfahan Steel
Company.
Various
Products of Chador Malu Mining and Industrial Company:
The main
products of the company include:
A) Iron
oxide concentrate to supply part of needed iron ore for steel production units
through direct reduction of iron ore (such as Mobarakeh Steel Company and
Khuzestan Steel Company)
B) Graded
iron ore (fine and lump) to be used for steel production through blast furnace
method (such as Isfahan Steel Company)
C)
Phosphorus Concentrate (apatite for producing chemical fertilizers and
phosphoric acid.
Underway Projects:
Construction of Ardakan Pelletizing Plant:
The iron
ore is carry after exploitation to the concentration factory of Chador Malu
Mining and Industrial Company for improvement of quality and
increase in purity. After making sure about the desirable purity and
elimination of unwanted elements, it is turn into concentrate and is transfer
to pellet production factories for production of pellet used by
direct reduction furnaces of domestic steel mills.
Pellet
production factories could be established as a complex near or along the iron
ore transport route. In addition to increasing the add value of the iron ore
and making the project economically justifiable, they would play a great role
in preventing pellet imports and outflow of foreign exchange as well as the
creation of direct and indirect jobs and social developments in the region.
Location of the Project:
The
project is underway over about 780 hectares land 25 km west of Ardakan
city.
Objectives of the Project:
- Annual
production of 3.4 million tons pellet needed for furnaces producing DRI
(Direct Reduction Iron) needed by steel production units through direct
reduction of Iron ore by natural gas (the current method used in Mobarakeh and
Khozestan Steel Company)
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Existence of infrastructural installations including gas, electricity, water,
paved roads and rail, manpower as well as proximity to stocks of needed raw
materials and existence of suitable industrial cultural grounds in the region
have made the project quite feasible.
Other Projects:
In
addition to the development plan and the project to establish a palletizing
plant in Ardakan, Chador Malu Mining and Industrial Company is also
participating to establish other plants to supply needed materials and parts
for production lines and to take advantage of profit and added value
of its subsidiary products. These companies aim is to employ local manpower
and encourage the private sector’s investments. When the projects become
operational they would create profit making centers around production lines
and meet a large part of the complex’s needs.
Kavir Phosphate Project:
Chador
Malu Mining and Industrial Company has launched a project for
producing phosphoric acid and chemical fertilizers in cooperation with the
private sector to take better advantage of byproducts of iron ore concentrate
production line. The factory is located in Bahabad, 60 km form the complex and
of the project has started since March 2003. The first phase of the project
would produce 3,000 tons phosphoric acid 8,500 tons chemical fertilizers.
Chemical Production Project:
Chador
Malu Mining and Industrial Company has launched a project for
producing chemicals needed for its concentrate production lines in Bahabad
region in cooperation with the private sector to reduce transportation costs
and provide easy access to those chemicals. When the project becomes
operational, it would meet the major requirements of the company in relation
to this chemical.
Mill Balls and Foundry Parts Production Project:
Since
foundry parts and mill balls are some of the major items used by production
lines of iron ore concentrate factory in Chador Malu Company, Chador Malu
Mining and Industrial Company has participated and supported the establishment
of Bahabad Sannat Company in cooperation with the private sector to supply the
above mentioned parts and reduce production costs.
Chador Malu Mining and Industrial Co.
No. 66, Esfandiar Blvd., Vali Asr Ave.,
Past Mirdamad St., Tehran,
Post Code 19686-53647 I. R. Iran
Tel.: +98 21 888 28 58
Fax: +98 21 877 59 35
E-mail: chadormaloo@chadormaloo.com
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