OREANDA-NEWS. On 31 March 2009 was announced, that the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works is continuing the construction of the 5,000 mm Plate Mill.

The contract for the delivery of a 5,000 mm Plate Mill and a Slab Concaster was signed with SMS Demag, a world-renowned equipment manufacturer, in November of 2006. When commissioned, the mill will produce highly lucrative plate up to 4,850 mm wide and with a class of strength up to X100-X120 intended, in the first place, for the production of large diameter pipes for the oil and gas industry, and also for ship, bridge and heavy machine building sectors.

The capacity of the Plate Mill, the largest among similar facilities, will reach 1.5 mtpy, including 0.3 mtpy of heat treated plate. The mill will include a complete set of equipment from heating furnaces' charging devices to stacking mechanisms at the finished products' storage area. The heart of the mill will be a unique rolling stand developing a rolling force of abt. 12,000 tons. The cost of the project will total USD 1.4 bn.

The completion of the mill will represent a breakthrough for MMK in terms of state-of-the-art production of premium quality hot rolled large-gauge plate.

According to the plans of the Company's top management, the construction of the Plate Mill, which will employ a work force of 480, is to be completed within this year.

The engineering for the project is carried out by the GIPROMEZ Design Institute based in Magnitogorsk. General contractors for the project include such well-known local construction companies as OJSC Prokatmontazh, OJSC Stroitelny Komplex, and OJSC PO Montazhnik. Every day about 2,000 men are working at the construction of foundations, erection of steel structures, and other construction jobs. The building of the Plate Mill with the roof has already been completed. The heating system is on, the locker rooms and showers are ready for use.

The main process equipment for the mill keeps arriving at the site. The parts of the mill's key component, the world's most powerful rolling stand, including the housing, are already on site.