SSPU in year 2005 reduced pellets export by 21.1%

/INTERFAX, Moscow, February 2, 06/ - Sokolovsko-Sarbayskoye production unit JSC (SSPU, Kostanay oblast) in year 2005 reduced iron ore pellets export by 21.1% in comparison with year 2004, to 6.04 m. tons, but increased concentrate export - by 5.1%, to 3.85 m. tons. Pellets export to China grew 2 times - to 2.06 m. tons, and export to Russia reduced by 40.1%, to 3.99 m. tons. Concentrate export to Russia fell by 5.3%, to 3.47 m. tons. Experts note that SSPU's export reduction is concerned with the conflict between SSPU and Magnitogorsk metallurgical combine (MMC). In the end of July MMC and SSPU agreed about partial resumption of supplies. In August of SSPU delivered to MMC 200 th. tons of concentrate, in September - 100 th. tons of pellets and 200 th. tons of concentrate, in October - 150 th. tons of pellets and 250 th. tons of concentrate, in December pellets supplies totaled 200 th. tons, concentrate - 300 th. tons. Before, for example in year 2004, MMC purchased from SSPU in the average about 750 th. tons of commodity ore per month. The company is among Eurasian industrial association (EIA). Besides SSPU EIA also comprises Eurasian energy corporation JSC (Pavlodar oblast), Aluminium of Kazakhstan JSC (Pavlodar oblast), ventures of TNC Kazchrome, Shubarkol Komir JSC (Karaganda oblast), Mugotex JSC (East- Kazakhstan oblast) and Zhairemskiy OMPE (Karaganda oblast). [2006-02-03]