November 21, 2008

Power supply being restored after fire in Malmberget

Clean up operations after the fire in the transformer station at Malmberget’s concentrating plant were completed earlier in the week. Subsequently, the transformer station has been powered up and work is now under way to start production equipment in the concentrating plant.

Mr Anders Henriksson manager of processing in Malmberget said that “We hope to start production of pellets and fines. Starting the concentrating plant is a very big task that is comparable to commissioning a whole new plant, but within a much shorter time. What’s more, there is no room for error, since this would delay the start-up of pellet and fines production. Personnel have been working around-the-clock to get this fixed. I am very pleased with the cooperation we have seen during the rebuilding operation. The degree of commitment has been admirable.”

The fire occurred more than three weeks ago, in the early hours of February 21st 2008. During the stoppage, no finished products have been produced. However, during this period, about 200,000 tonnes of crude ore has been hoisted up from the mine and stockpiled ready for processing.