OREANDA-NEWS. February 08, 2011. EuroChem Mineral & Chemical Company continues to strengthen its ties in the regions of its presence with the visit of Murmansk Governor Dmitry Dmitrienko to its Kovdorsky GOK subsidiary.

During his visit, the governor toured the main facilities of this key regional enterprise and was briefed on the large-scale investment projects being implemented by EuroChem to further improve operations.

Among these are the upgrade of the Zhelezny mine, aimed at increasing the Company’s resource base, and the modernization of the flotation separation and gravity separation systems used in the production of apatite and baddeleyite concentrates. At a cost of RUB 338 million, the fleet of mining and road-building machinery was also upgraded with the acquisition of advanced RH120FS BUCYRUS hydraulic excavators, a grader, Caterpillar™ crawler and wheel dozers, a Komatsu™ bulldozer and other heavy-duty vehicles.

During his meeting with the Kovdorsky GOK management, the governor discussed the Company’s strategic development program up to 2015 and its significance for the regional economy. The governor praised Kovdorsky GOK for both its production and community activities, while expressing his hope, for further mutually beneficial cooperation in dealing with some of the region’s more pressing social issues.

Dmitry Dmitrienko commented: “The Company’s investments, which are to exceed 3 billion roubles in 2011, are earmarked for the overhaul and upgrade of machinery and processing equipment which will enhance production performance and working conditions. Impressive results have been achieved in environmental protection and energy savings, the use of advanced mining technologies and, specifically, in the optimization of drilling and blasting operations. The key point is that the Company’s business and its prospects are constantly improving thanks to its persistent and extensive work".