OREANDA-NEWS  On 11 November was announced, that the Mariupol Illich metallurgical plant (MMKI) in Donetsk region shut down the Interinvestvuhillia Mine (formerly Menzhynska Mine in Pervomaisk, Luhansk region).

"I have commanded to stop the mine. There is no reason to produce 100 tons of coal [each day], as we have enough and to spare it. It is better to pay wages than to pay for all production expenses," director general of the plant, Volodymyr Boiko said.

He said the other companies controlled by the Mariupol Illich metallurgical plant - the Donetsk chemical and metallurgical factory, the Komsomolsk mining administration in Donetsk region, and Umanfermmash in Cherkasy region continued to operate with orders.

"Besides, I have said that we have frozen all capital objects and left only several brigades to complete the works in the building of the main building of the coal injection unit," Boiko said.

According to him, the losses of the company would be UAH 250 million in October after UAH 130 million in losses in September.

The Mariupol Illich metallurgical plant leased the Menzhynska Mine in Pervomaisk, Luhansk region, in the fall of 2006.

In September, the Mariupol Illich metallurgical plant trimmed the output of finished steel by 25.4% or 80,630 tons compared to August, to 237,000 tons.

The enterprise ended 2007 with a net profit of UAH 1,417.212 million.

The Illich Stal company (Mariupol) owns 90.41% of the shares in the Illich metallurgical plant OJSC.

The controlling stake of the Illich Stal company belongs to the Illich metallurgical plant's organization of renters.

The Illich metallurgical plant specializes in production of rolled sheet. It also produces iron-ore sinter, open-hearth pig iron, cast and rolled slabs, seamless and welded pipes, and gas cylinders.