Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation PLC announced the successful commissioning of the second chrome ore pelletiser and related facilities at Donskoy GOK chrome ore mine complex in Kazakhstan, which supplies Kazchrome company of the Ferroalloys Division.

The completion of the USD 110 million project with an annual production capacity of 700,000 tonnes of chrome pellets signifies the successful implementation of one of the IPO capital expenditure projects announced by the Group in December 2007. The new plant will double the existing pelletizing capacity of Donskoy GOK to 1.4 million tonnes per annum.

The process allows the use of greater quantities of lower grade ore, thereby reducing wastage and improving unit mining costs and profitability. It creates a stronger product which makes it more resilient to degradation during transportation to the conversion plants, whilst allowing for improved recovery in production of chromium alloys. In addition, the process enables reduced furnace electricity consumption.

Mr Felix Vulis COO of ENRC said that "The commissioning of the plant further underlines the ability of ENRC to implement capital investment projects in time and on budget, as well as its contribution to higher environmental standards."