Iranian longs steel producer Yazd Rolling Mill is expanding iron ore processing, considering the country’s rising demand for high-quality raw materials.

Established in 1980 in Yazd Province, Yazd Rolling Mill plans to ramp up iron ore concentrate production because of the expansion of the beneficiation plant’s capacity from 500,000 to 1 million tons per year, Metal Expert learnt from a mill representative.

In addition, the company is building one more 1 million-ton-per-year plant in another province. Once the investment program is completed, the mill’s iron ore processing capacity will be nearly 2 million tons per year. Production at the new facilities is scheduled to start in May-June 2017.

By the end of the current Iranian year (March 20, 2017), the company plans to expand pellet production to 1 million tons per year. To this end, the mill is upgrading a pelletizing plant (400,000 tons per year) purchased in the autumn of 2015.

“According to our expectations, we will be able to commission the equipment in 2 3 months, while for the start of commercial pellet production, we will need 4 5 months,” a company representative told Metal Expert.