The firm will supply Warman pumps and Isogate valves for use in the transport of tailings at the site, which is currently undergoing a significant modernisation as part of a capital expenditure programme.
Ongoing repair and maintenance services will also be supplied by Weir Minerals from its service centre in Krivoy Rog, Ukraine. The order is due to be delivered in 2014.
Ferrexpo’s Poltava site is an open pit mine producing 30 million tonnes of iron ore per year. The mine is 330m deep and 7km long. Ferrexpo is currently investing €102.41 million to extend the operation’s life to 2038.
Viktor Lotous, CEO at Ferrexpo Poltava Mining, said, “Our Poltava operation is one of Europe’s largest iron ore mines. We believe that Weir Minerals’ pumps and valves will ensure minimum downtime as we look to maintain high productivity levels over the coming years.
“We were impressed by the wide use of Warman pumps and Isogate valves for tailings across Europe and Ukraine, which demonstrates their suitability for Ferrexpo’s operations at FPM. An additional benefit for us is the proximity of Weir Minerals’ service centre in Krivoy Rog.”
Tony Locke, managing director at Weir Minerals Europe, added, “Ferrexpo required a complex solution and the versatility, reliability and ease of maintenance of Warman pumps and Isogate valves will provide this. The valves on order, at up to 40” (1.01m), will be some of the largest in use in the world, which speaks volumes of the size of the operation at Ferrexpo Poltava Mining and Weir Minerals’ expertise in this area.
“We hosted Ferrexpo at our UK-based foundry recently, which was an opportunity to demonstrate the breadth of our offering, and this agreement typifies the through-lifecycle support we can provide to mine operators.”
Ferrexpo is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
