During a recent working visit by Metinvest’s leadership, Northern Iron Ore and Kamet Steel were key stops. In the final days of March, Gregory Mason, chairman of the Supervisory Board’s HSE Committee, together with senior management, visited the sites to assess operational sustainability and the implementation of investment projects under wartime conditions.
Gregory Mason, Metinvest CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov and other Group executives focused on how the enterprises are operating under martial law. They reviewed employee safety measures and inspected the condition of production equipment across key operating units. The primary objective of the visit was to evaluate how production processes are adapting to current challenges, assess operational resilience and review progress on Metinvest’s key investment projects.
At Northern Iron Ore, Gregory Mason and the leadership team inspected a new gas-fired power generation complex – an effective decentralised energy solution amid ongoing power outages caused by shelling – and reviewed construction progress on the tailings thickening facility, one of Metinvest’s flagship investment projects. They discussed the stages of building this modern hydraulic engineering facility and examined the safety systems implemented on site.
Gregory MASON commented: “Construction of the thickening facility is truly impressive. Until now, I had seen it only on drawings. Seeing this important project come to life is genuinely breathtaking. This is a place of strength today, a place where Ukraine’s steel industry is growing. The war is ongoing, yet Metinvest continues to develop despite everything. This clearly reflects our strategic vision and focus on the future. We are a key company in Ukraine’s steel industry, and we will remain so. We fully understand how challenging it is to work under constant risk, with air raid alerts disrupting operations and prolonged time spent in shelters. But despite the war, we are building the future. That is why we are here today. We are returning to strategic planning, investment and sustainable development.”
The first phase of the tailings thickening facility is scheduled to be commissioned by the year-end. This will enable Northern Iron Ore to reduce costs, save electricity, lower water consumption and decrease environmental impact. The project was launched in 2021 but suspended following the start of the full-scale invasion. Construction resumed in July 2024. The facility will be commissioned in three stages, with full completion planned by the end of 2027.
At the end of last year, Metinvest also announced plans to increase DR pellet production at Northern Iron Ore, for making ‘green’ steel and premium-grade raw materials for pig iron production. The programme includes two projects: modernisation of the LURGI 552-A roasting machine and construction of a flotation and beneficiation complex. Once completed, Northern Iron Ore will be able to produce around 4 million tonnes of DR pellets annually.
Gregory Mason said: “Metinvest continues to modernise production and implement environmental projects in Ukraine. These initiatives not only reduce environmental impact, but also lay the foundation for the recovery and sustainable development of Ukraine’s industry after the war.”
At Kamet Steel – a key centre for developing Metinvest’s steelmaking business in Ukraine – the Group leadership assessed the effectiveness of on-site solutions that allow the plant not only to maintain production volumes, but also to lay the groundwork for further modernisation.
The visit covered key stages of the production chain: from raw-material preparation to steelmaking. Particular attention was paid to auditing energy infrastructure. In conditions of overall energy shortages and elevated security risks, the focus was on measures to increase energy independence and modernise energy equipment, which are critical for maintaining stable operations and minimising the impact of external disruptions.
Special attention was given to the BOF shop, a key element in Metinvest’s steelmaking development strategy. The Group is considering the construction of a new continuous casting machine for slab production. Implementation of this strategic project would enable the plant to produce new products, improve quality and strengthen Metinvest’s competitive position in its markets. For Kamet Steel, this is not just a technical upgrade, but also a foundation for stable operations and long-term development.
Gregory Mason commented: “Today at Kamet Steel, we saw the path of our development. Even in wartime conditions, we are laying the foundation for the future growth of Metinvest’s Ukrainian assets. It was particularly important for me to visit the BOF shop at Kamet Steel, where steel is born. What is most striking – and encouraging – is that despite the reality Ukraine is living through, our Group, and Kamet Steel in particular, looks to the future with confidence, successfully addressing strategic challenges and building ambitious plans. Today, Metinvest is at the centre of rebuilding and reinventing Ukraine’s steel industry. While expanding our geographical footprint and sales markets, it remains – and will continue to be – a Ukrainian company that invests here, in Ukraine. Despite the challenges of war, Metinvest continues to pursue the development strategy of its Ukrainian assets, investing in the reliability and efficiency of production. Northern Iron Ore and Kamet Steel are clear examples: we are designing and building today, and will continue to do so.”
