Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Novo-Ogarevo residence during the opening of metallurgical industry facilities in the Donetsk, Nizhny Novgorod and Chelyabinsk regions of the People’s Republic. Photo: Vyacheslav Prokofiev/Press Service of the President of the Russian Federation/TASS
There is still a week to go until Metallurgist Day (this year it falls on Sunday, July 21), but the president did not postpone it and already on Monday he met with representatives of the industry and opened several new facilities in Russia.
But before proceeding directly to the launch, the Russian leader summed up the interim results of the industry’s work. So, last year Russia became:
* First in the world to produce high quality nickel,
* Second – for the production of aluminum,
* Third – for the production of titanium products.
* Fifth – in terms of steel production volumes.
And all this, as Putin pointed out, despite sanctions and external pressure.
– Today we are taking another step in the development of the metallurgical industry: we are opening new production facilities in the Chelyabinsk and Nizhny Novgorod regions. And also, which is especially significant, in the Donetsk People’s Republic,” the President said.
DONETSK REPUBLIC
Putin started with the latter. There, at the Yenakievo metallurgical plant, the last blast furnace was stopped 4 years ago. But this is one of the oldest factories in Donbass. As soon as the opportunity arose to restore the furnace, investments were made in the plant: 2 billion rubles were spent on its overhaul. Now the plant will produce more than a million tons of steel per year. This includes fittings, rolled metals (including for shipbuilding) and commercial cast iron.
– Congratulations! The Yenakevo plant employs 4.5 thousand people. This is a great holiday for everyone. Good luck! – he concluded.
By the way, in 2023, compared to 2022, the production of metal products in the LPR and the DPR increased by 30%. “A very good indicator,” Vladimir Putin stressed.
NIZHNY NOVGOROD REGION
Below, the Nizhny Novgorod region entered the video link. Here, at one of the Ruspolimet factories, a new set of furnaces is now operating, which will melt special steels and alloys (in fact, they have already started, by order of the Head of State).
According to experts, the new furnaces will enable the plant to produce twice as many steels, alloys and heat-resistant products for high-tech industries (such as aircraft engine blades).
By the way, Ruspolymet, Vyksa Metallurgical Plant and Azovstal Metallurgical Plant hired more than 100 employees last year from the Mariupol plant. Because good hands should not be idle.
Russian Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov during the launching ceremony via video conference. Photo: Sergey Bobylev/POOL/TASS
CHELYABINSK REGION
The third enterprise that has also started new production today is the legendary Magnitogorsk Steelworks. A new coke oven battery has started operating here. There are four blocks, each with 50 ovens. They will allow, firstly, to produce 2.5 million tons of dry coking coal per year and, secondly, to significantly reduce emissions into the atmosphere, which is very important for such production.
By the way, the event was not limited to the plant alone; in addition to the new furnaces, Vladimir Putin inaugurated a new musical fountain in Magnitogorsk. It was launched with the song “Time Forward”, which has long become the anthem of metallurgists throughout the country.
