SSPU JSC (Kazakhstan) boosted iron ore output by 10 pct in first quarter 2005

/REUTERS, Almaty, Tatyana Seroshtanova, April 6, 05/ - Sokolovskoe - Sarbayskoe production unit (SSPU) boosted iron ore output by 9.8 pct to 3.8 m tons compared to corresponding period of the last year, including fluxed pellets to 2.3 m, the Company's press service reported. Beginning the current year SSPU boosted the crude ore output by 11.4 pct to 9.095 m tons. The volume of refined ore in Jan-Mar also rose 11.3 pct to 9.087 m tons. The statement says that in March of the current year the Company produced and refined 3.047 m tons of crude iron ore, up by 3.7 pct from previous March result. The Company told that in Jan-Mar of the current year the volume of shipments of finished products to customers increased. "Delivery of finished produce to customers for the last three months totaled 3,093 th tons (3.5 % increase). In March 1,256 th tons were shipped to customers (4.1% to similar period of 2004)", the statement reads. The enterprise is engaged in production and refinery of black iron ore, magnesian lime, fluxing limestone, mottled clay and expanded clay. Main customers of SSPU's output include Magnitogorsk metallurgical plant OJSC, Tchelyabinck metallurgical plant OJSC (a member of Mechel steel group), Kazakhstan-based Mittal Steel Temirtau JSC as well as Chinese operators. According to Kazakhstan Stock Exchange as at January 1, 2004, Committee of State property and privatization maintained 39.5 percent stake in the enterprise, and another 58.89% stake belonged to Central Asian Trust Company. [2005-04-06]