Ferrous metallurgy remains one of the key drivers of the economic growth of Kostanay region. The implementation of the most capital—intensive project in the metallurgical industry, the construction of a plant for the production of hot briquetted iron (GBJ), has begun in the city of Rudny.

The project is of strategic importance for the region and the whole country. The total investment volume at the first stage alone is 655 billion tenge, which will create more than 1,000 new jobs. The implementation of the project will make a significant contribution to the development of the industrial potential of Kostanay region and the strengthening of the economy of Kazakhstan.

The construction of the GBJ plant is a vivid example of the fulfillment of the instructions of the Head of State. In his Message, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev clearly outlined priorities for the development of a new generation of industry, the introduction of environmentally friendly technologies and the creation of high-performance jobs.

Modern metallurgical production will create a new industrial ecosystem in the region, increase the added value of processing raw materials and expand the country's export opportunities. Currently, the design and estimate documentation is in the final stages of preparation, which will allow us to begin the active phase of the project in the near future.

The future hot briquetted iron plant will become one of the largest enterprises of "green" metallurgy in Central Asia. It is planned to produce products with a metallization degree of at least 93 percent and an iron content of more than 90 percent, which will ensure high quality and competitiveness of products in the global steel industry market.

The project will use advanced technologies for direct iron recovery using the Midrex process. Unlike traditional blast furnace production, this technology is environmentally friendly, since natural gas, not coke, is used as a reducing agent. This will significantly reduce the burden on the environment.

The raw material base for the plant will be oxidized iron ore pellets of its own production. SSGPO JSC will be able to supply hot product directly to the steelmaking plant, which will increase the efficiency of the production cycle.

The project is being implemented by a subsidiary of the ERG Group, QazIron ERG LLP. The design capacity of the plant will be 2 million tons of hot briquetted iron per year.

The implementation of this project will strengthen Kazakhstan's position in the international market of metallurgical products, create new economic growth points and become an important step in the transition to a high-tech and environmentally oriented industry.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1132177?lang=kk