ArcelorMittal Temirtau Research Articles

Проведение исследований по обоснованию возможности последовательного проветривания технологических объектов на угольных шахтах АО УД "АрселорМиттал Темиртау"

The purpose of the work is to substantiate the possibility of sequential ventilation of technological sites in the coal mines of JSC UD «ArcelorMittal Temirtau». These objects of research are equipped with automated systems for monitoring the mine atmosphere (ASKRA) and systems for dispatching control and management of mining enterprises (ASKU). The developed preliminary measures allowed for a systematic and comprehensive approach to the implementation of the complex of studies carried out. The carried out research allowed specialists to process a significant amount of information on the state of the gas and dust situation at the studied technological objects. The results obtained will allow specialists to confirm the safety of work during sequential ventilation of technological sites of coal mines of JSC CD «ArcelorMittal Temirtau», determining additional conditions and a set of measures for trouble-free operation. The findings will serve as the basis for preparing proposals for amending the requirements of paragraph 153 of the «Industrial Safety Rules for Hazardous Industrial Sites in Coal Mines».

PROPANE-BUTANE SUPPLY FOR COKE OVEN AND BLAST FURNACE GAS ENRICHMENT IN REHEATING FURNACES

This article proposes organizational and technical measures to reduce energy consumption of re-heating furnacessection of hot rolling mill 1700 in hot rolling shop No.1 of “ArcelorMittal Temirtau” JSC, such as fuel combustionquality management, performed and presented calculation of energy consumption per unit of production. The industrial experiment was performed there. As it is known, one of the features of re-heating furnaces is the fact that the minimum specific fuel consumption takes place when burning it with the maximum possible pyrometric effect. To solve the research tasks, a fundamentally new 3D model of combustion products motion with the possibility of parameters correction to calculate and optimize the energy-efficient operation of the furnace was applied. Experimental data were obtained on high-precision stationary and portable equipment, metering devices passed state inspection, which excludes the unreliability of the data obtained.

Experience in Repairing Converter Gas Boiler-Coolers

. In this project technical solutions were made based on many year working experience with boiler equipment in the converter shop. This project will reduce converter downtime and increase the volume of the produced liquid metal up to 400 thousand tenge and, taking into account all the extraneous factors, It will increase the economic effect of the ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC by about $180 million per year without investing additional funds. This will also lead to increasing jobs in the Karaganda region and the opportunity to compete with foreign suppliers. In addition, when working at this project, the share of Kazakhstan content in the manufactured products of the ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC increases. The use of the repair method described in the article will lead to improving the environmental situation in the city of Temirtau, since the normal functioning of the converter gas boiler-cooler directly affects the pollution of emitted impurities into the city atmosphere. Germany and Russia are interested in this technology.

Оценка и мониторинг способа оперативного многоступенчатого разупрочнения труднообрушаемой кровли методом направленного гидроразрыва

This Based on assessing the current state of rock pressure manifestation in the mining face and development workings, a technique was proposed for multi-stage control of poorly caving roof using directional hydraulic fracturing, which is widely used in the mines of Kuzbass. Longwall face 43K10-V in the Saranskaya mine of ArcelorMittal Temirtau Coal Department was used as an example to discuss a complex approach to addressing the challenges of high stresses within the coal seam, squeezing and guttering up at the stoping face. Application of the technique for rapid multi-stage weakening of poorly caving roof from inside the mining face made it possible to implement the measures and avoid downtime of the mining face. Monitoring of the implemented measures by recording changes in the stress-and-strain state of the rock mass at the test site has demonstrated the efficiency of the applied technology.

Developing the Technology and Bench Testing Methods of Supporting the Rock Massif

There have been developed nomograms to determine the speed of driving development workings and the number of tunneling team, taking into account the control of geomechanical processes in side rocks. The feasibility study of the developed technological solutions has been substantiated and the scope of their application has been determined. The practical approbation of the results for the conditions of the Karaganda coal basin mines has been presented. Based on the obtained results, comparative mine tests of imported (the JV Minova-Kazakhstan LLP ) and experimental (domestic) samples of roof bolting were carried out. Testing the anchors at the Saranskaya and Kostenko mines of the CD ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC showed their efficiency and effectiveness. Implementation of the proposed developments made it possible, together with the specialists of the CD ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC and the BASF Central Asia LLP, to introduce innovative industrial developments into production

INFLUENCE OF THE FACTORS OF ENVIRONMENT ON THE QUALITY OF THE FEED IN THE KARAGANDA OBLAST

In the article, the authors present the results of assessing the quality and safety of feed in various districts of the Karaganda region. The following feed studies were carried out: organoleptic and physico-chemical indicators; the total toxicity and residual amount of heavy metal compounds were determined; the quality and safety of feed from various areas of the study area were assessed; organoleptic and physico–chemical indicators of animal feed were carried out; the dynamics of seasonal accumulation of residual amounts of heavy metal compounds in feed was also established.
 The following contaminants are most dangerous in feed: toxins of microorganisms (including fungi), toxic elements (heavy elements), antibiotics, pesticides, nitrates, nitrites, dioxins and dioxin-like compounds, radionucleides.
 According to the ecological situation, the Karaganda region is one of the ecologically unfavorable territories of our country. This is due to the large concentration of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, energy complexes and other industrial objects, such as Arcelor Mittal Temirtau and Kazakhmys.
 From the atmosphere, toxic substances enter the soil and penetrate it directly or with precipitation.
 Therefore, the study of the influence of environmental factors on feed in the conditions of the Karaganda region is of great practical and theoretical importance.

Powdery mildews fungi of trees of Karaganda, Balkhash and Temirtau cities

Karaganda region is a major industrial center of our country. In such cities of the region as Karaganda,Temirtau and Balkhash there are large enterprises of ferrous metallurgy, construction, chemical JSC “ArcelorMittal Temirtau”, JSC “Temirtau Electrometallurgical Combine”, LLP “Ecominerals”, JSC “CentralAsia Cement”, “Agat-Service” LLP, JSC “Kazakhstan Invest Comir”, LLP “Kazakhmys Corporation”, LLP “MMC Kazpolymetal”, Metal-Kit Karaganda, LLP “Mining and Metallurgical Combine”, Nonferrous metals processing plant, etc. All technogenic factors lead to a decrease in plant productivity and often to their death. The dynamics of seasonal development of phytopathogenic fungi depends on meteorological conditions. Changes in the dynamics of factors corresponding to the season of the year occur in the habitat of the species. Phytopathogenic fungi also directly depend on their own host-plants, the conditions of their development and the growing season. The article presents information about the types of powdery fungi affecting various types of trees growing in parks and squares of the cities of Karaganda, Balkhash, Temirtau. 4 species of trees affected by powdery mildew were analyzed. And during the study, the following types of phytopathogenic fungi were identified at various stages of development: Uncinula aceris Sacc., Microsphaera betulae Magnus, Microsphaera penicillata (Wallroth.) Leveille, Uncinula salicis Winter f. populorum Rabenhorst. Phytopathogenic fungi of trees growing in parks and squares of the industrial cities of Temirtau and Balkhash were studied for the first time.

Rolling stand electric drive model regarding influence of power supply network parameters

<span lang="EN-US">Operation mode of hot rolling mill finishing group stands of ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC electric drives along with thyristor converter units, intended for the drives supply effect significantly the power network parameters. While being carried out the experimental research on operating modes of power network supplying the rolling mill, some oscillograms were constructed that indicate voltage during the rolling process. Analyzing the oscillograms it appears that there are unacceptable voltage drops throughout the network (more than 10%), that, in its turn, effects negatively the main and auxiliary electric drives functioning. Electric drive simulation model have been constructed with the aim accomplishment to learn more about operating modes features of finishing group stands electric drives as well as power network supplying the hot rolling mill, where the main objective is getting the decreased parameters of their mutual influence. The scientific project purpose is verification of the mathematical model choice correctness, construction of a simulation model of the electric drive control system for the main drives of the hot rolling mill stands, taking into consideration the parameters of the power supply network and checking its adequacy.</span>

ҚАРАҒАНДЫ ОБЛЫСЫ ШАРУАШЫЛЫҚТАРЫ ЖАҒДАЙЫНДА СИЫР ЕТІ МЕН СҮТІНІҢ САПАСЫНА ҚОРШАҒАН ОРТА ФАКТОРЛАРЫНЫҢ ӘСЕРІН ЗЕРТТЕУ

In the article, the authors present the results of assessing the quality and safety of milk and beef meat in various districts of the Karaganda region. The following studies were carried out: organoleptic and physico-chemical indicators; the total toxicity and residual amount of heavy metal compounds were determined; the quality and safety of livestock products from various areas of the study area were assessed; organoleptic and physico–chemical indicators of milk and beef meat were carried out; the dynamics of seasonal accumulation of residual amounts of heavy metal compounds in milk and beef was also established. An integral part of national and international health protection programs is to ensure the safety of food products that are subject to anthropogenic impact. Toxins of microorganisms (including fungi), toxic elements (heavy elements), antibiotics, pesticides, nitrates, nitrites, dioxins and dioxin-like compounds, radionucleides. According to the ecological situation, the Karaganda region is one of the ecologically unfavorable territories of our country. This is due to the large concentration of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, energy complexes and other industrial objects, such as Arcelor Mittal Temirtau and Kazakhmys. Therefore, the study of the influence of environmental factors on the quality of livestock.

"RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ASH AND SLAG REMOVAL SYSTEM IN CHP-2 OF JSC «ARSELORMITTAL TEMIRTAU»"

"This article discusses the modernization of the ash and slag removal system at CHPP-2 of JSC «ArcelorMittal Temirtau», the transition from the wet method of cleaning ash and slag to a more technologically advanced dry one. The long-term use of the hydraulic ash and slag removal system (GZSHU) has led to the accumulation of a huge amount of ash, which is subsequently not used. A comprehensive replacement of wet cleaning equipment for dry cleaning is considered. The wet method offers quenching with water (in this case, up to 1 % of the thermal efficiency of the TP-81 boiler unit is lost), followed by the use of drag pumps and the removal of ash and slag through the hydraulic ash removal channels to the ash dump. In the future, this ash cannot be used. During dry ash and slag removal, extinguishing with water is not used, but a pneumatic system for removing combustion products is used. Ash from gas cleaning plants through a system of pneumatic chamber pumps and intermediate hoppers is fed through ash pipelines to a silo warehouse. The use of this technology allows minimizing the harmful impact on the environment by reducing groundwater pollution with pulp, reducing the area of ​​​​ash dumps, reducing water consumption by the station, using ordinary types of steel in pipeline systems, and reducing the cost of equipment maintenance. Keywords: boiler, slag, ash and slag removal, dust preparation, hydraulic ash removal, fuel, coal, ash."

Building an adaptive hybrid model for short-term prediction of power consumption using a neural network

This paper proposes a step-by-step technique for combining basic models that forecast electricity consumption in an artificial neural network by the method of preliminary selection and further hybridization. The reported experiments were conducted using data on hourly electricity consumption at the metallurgical plant AO ArcelorMittal Temirtau in the period from January 1, 2019, to November 30, 2021. The current research is related to the planned introduction of a balancing electricity market. 96 combinations of basic models were compiled, differing in the type of neural network, the set of initial data, the order of lag, the learning algorithm, and the number of neurons in the hidden layer. It has been determined that the NARX-type network is the most optimal architecture to forecast electricity consumption. Based on experimental studies, the number of hidden neurons needed to form a planned daily profile should equal 3 or 4; it is recommended to use the conjugate gradient method as a learning algorithm. When selecting models from three groups, it was revealed that the conjugate gradient method produces better results compared to the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. It is determined that the values of the selected RMSE error indicator take values of 23.17, 22.54, and 22.56, respectively, for the first, second, and third data groups. The adaptive hybridization method has been shown to reduce the RMSE error rate to 21.73. However, the weights of the best models with values of 0.327 for the first group of data, and 0.336 for the second and third ones, show that the individual use of a separate combination of models is also applicable. The devised forecasting electricity consumption model can be integrated into an automated electricity metering system

Characterization of iron oxide waste scales obtained by rolling mill steel industry

Every year, the steelmaking industry produces millions of tons of slags resulting in pollution to the environment. Among the waste, secondary metals and scales rich in iron oxides are also thrown away. There is a need to treat the steel waste in a reasonably way to protect the environment and proposing new cheap technologies for producing advanced materials. In this study we report the morphological and structural characterization of waste scales generated during roll milling steel process at JSC “Arcelor Mittal Temirtau”. The raw slag and annealed at 1000 °C were measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy adapted with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM- EDX), magnetometry and Mössbauer Spectroscopy (MS). Fe and O were detected by EDX as main chemical elements and Si, S, Ca, Mg, C and Al as minimal elemental composition. XDR for the raw sample revealed α-Fe2O3 (hematite) and Fe3O4 (magnetite) as principal and secondary phase, respectively; whereas monophasic α-Fe2O3 is detected for the scales annealed at 1000 °C. Magnetometry measurements show the Verwey transition for the raw sample and the Morin transition for the annealed at 1000 °C; those are fingerprints for the presence of magnetite and hematite, respectively. MS measurements for the raw sample consist of 6 small peaks of absorption and a broad two-lines absorption peak in the central part. The doublets are associated to the hyperfine parameters belonging to wustite. Magnetite is related to the hyperfine parameters for two sextets in octahedral Fe2.5+ and tetrahedral Fe3+sites and a small sextet that resembles the Mössbauer parameters of α-Fe2O3. Only a well crystallized and weakly ferromagnetic sextet confirm the presence of α-Fe2O3 phase for the sample annealed at 1000 °C due to thermal oxidation.

DETERMINING THE PATTERNS OF STABILITY OF MINE WORKINGS FOR CALCULATION ROOF BOLTING PARAMETERS

Purpose. The published studies are aimed at determining the mechanism of deformation of the rocks of the contour around the workings in terms of the parameters of the emerging fracturing and their dependence on the indicators of the strength of the rocks and the depth of occurrence in the massif. The tasks of the study include the installation of fracture indicators, the determination of the parameters of the development of the deformation process around the working, including the effect of longwall mining and taking into account the possibility of reuse of the workings.
 Methodology. To solve the set tasks, the method of field observations was used together with the use of regression dependencies to determine the dependences of the parameters on the influencing factors. In addition, the method of full-scale pull-out tests of anchor support was used, which made it possible to determine the clamping forces of the anchors.
 Originality. In the course of the research, the dependences of stresses and deformation along the K7 coal seam in the conditions of the mine named after Kuzembaev CD JSC "ArcelorMittal Temirtau" for the massif around the mine with fastening. Rational parameters for the use of roof bolting in preparatory mine workings have been established. This type of fastening provides direct contact between rocks and lining. Analysis of the results of calculating the parameters of the roof bolting showed that to maintain the roof in the development workings, it is necessary to take into account the parameters of the roof bolting. The main parameters include the length of the anchors, the total resistance of the roof bolting and the density of the anchors. Anchor support forms laminated rock beams in the roof rocks, which ensure the stability of the workings.
 Conclusions and practical significance. The results of studies devoted to the establishment of the influence of mining-geological and mining-technical factors on the formation of zones of inelastic deformation in the host rocks were considered. Significant dependences of the deformation processes of rocks in the massif around the workings were obtained, and the parabolic zone of destruction of rocks was determined. The practical significance of the research consists in determining the actual indicators of the required bearing capacity of the anchorage at two levels in the conditions of the development of the coal seam k7 of the Kuzembaev mine. 

Direct microalloying of structural steels by boron from oxide system CaO–SiO<sub>2</sub>–B<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>–Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>–MgO

The results of fundamental studies of the physicochemical properties of slags of the CaO–SiO2–B2O3–Al2O3–MgO system were used as the basis for the development of the technology for the formation of boron-containing slags in ladle-furnace units (LFU). The recommended composition of ladle slags (1–4% B2O3, 15% Al2O3 and 8% MgO) ensures the development of direct microalloying processes of steel with boron, low viscosity, not exceeding 0.32 Pa∙s, and preservation of sufficiently high refining properties. Colemanite (Turkey) was used as boron-containing raw material, having, %: 39–41 B2O3, 26–28 CaO, no more than 5% of SiO2 and 3% of MgO. The implementation of the developed technology of direct microalloying of structural steels of a wide grade composition by boron in the BOF shop of ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC provided the boron content at the level of 0.001–0.008%, a decrease in the consumption of manganese-based ferroalloys from 0.3 kg/t of 08кп steel to 0.8 kg/t of steel 17Г1С-У, exclusion of additives into the ladle of ferroboron and fluorspar. The proposed mode of formation of slags of the recommended composition in the melt of LFU provided a sufficiently high degree of metal desulfurization in comparison with the existing production routes. For example, with pipe steel 17Г1С-У, despite a decrease in lime consumption by 500 kg per a heat and a decrease of the steel processing time at the LFU by 40 minutes, a high degree of desulfurization, reaching 66.7%, provided a sulfur content of 0.004% in the metal. Microalloying of structural steels by boron results in their high strength properties with invariance of plasticity apart from sufficiently high refining effect.

Study of the influence of technological parameters of the cooking process on the quality of coal tar produced in com ovens “ArcelorMittal Temirtau” JSC

In the article there are presented results of a research that was carried out to determine a reason for the increase of more than 1,22 g/cm3 coal-tar oil density at the coke production of “ArcelorMittal Temirtau” joint-stock company. There have been studied samples of coal concentrates from nine layers of eight mines in Karaganda coal basin and GZh coal concentrate which are supplied to the coke chemical production of “ArcelorMittal Temirtau” joint-stock company from “Kunetskaya” Enrichment plant (Russia). During the work there has been determined dependence of the gas composition on the temperature affecting gas that was released during coal carbonizing process. It is experimentally established that with an increase in the temperature of the released coke gas above 750 ° C to 1000 ° C, light fractions evaporate from the resin and are removed into the gas discharge path, which is accompanied by a weighting, an increase in the density captured for processing coal tar into pitch. The results of the resin studies that is isolated in the same temperature ranges show the indicators of the resin yield and its density during the tests of concentrates also follow a certain pattern – with an increase in the coal carbonizing temperature and with overheating of the released gas, the resin density increases and its yield decreases. The researches in the plant has found that the technological reason for the weighting of the coke gas resin is a low level of coal charge stockline, which makes possible to linger the coke gas in the underroof space and to overheat with increasing the access of light fractions of the resin with the gas.

Analysis of the influence of the parameters of the power supply network on the operating modes of the electric drives of the stands of the hot rolling mill 1700 of ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC

The finishing group of stands of the 1700 SRS-1 continuous mill of ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC is characterized by high rolling speeds and high productivity. The use of DC motors as power sources for the main drives of the stands of high-power thyristor converter units significantly affects the nature of the operating modes of the power supply system and the quality of electricity on the buses of the SRS-1 substation. Experiments were performed to study the electricity grid supply substation in which the basic indexes of quality of electric energy and the built waveform voltage SAG during rolling. Voltage dips are observed throughout the rolling process and reach 10% of the rated network voltage. Due to the complexity of removing individual parameters of electric drives and conducting experiments on a real mill, an adequate model of the electric drive of the stand of the finishing group of the 1700 SRS-1 mill was developed and built.

Smelting of steel semi-product in BOF and EAF under magnesian slags

Basics for the development of a rational composition of the main magnesian slags and technological methods for their formation according to the periods of BOF bath blowing and the periods of smelting in EAF are the results of fundamental studies of the slags physicochemical properties. Implementation in the converter shop of OJSC “EVRAZ NTMK” of a developed set of technological methods of magnesian slags formation in the main period of blowing and a wearresistant skull on the basis of magnesian final slags ensured record durability of converter linings. These slags have low aggressive effect on the lining of converters, while maintaining high refining properties. The durability of the converters’ lining exceeds 7000 heats, while maintaining high technological and technical-economic indicators of the process. During heats of low manganese cast irons in 350-metric ton heavy converters of JSC “EVRAZ ZSMK” under magnesian slags, the features of slag formation and changes in chemical composition of the slag were studied by the periods of the BOF bath blowing. During the process stage of phosphorous cast irons in 300-metric ton BOF at JSC “ArcelorMittal Temirtau”, a set of technological methods was developed for the formation of magnesian slags of the recommended chemical composition by the periods of phosphorus cast irons blowing and wear-resistant skulls based on final magnesian slags of moderate basicity. The implementation of the developed technological methods ensured the lining stability of BOF of more than 5 000 heats while maintaining high technological, technical and economic indicators of phosphorous process stage. In the EAF shop of PJSC “Seversky Pipe Plant” a technology for the formation of magnesian slags of rational composition was developed over the smelting periods in EAF-135. Introduction of the technology ensured the record resistance of the refractory lining of the furnace up to 1900 heats per campaign and high level of technological and technical-economic indicators of the process.

Effect of Direct Microalloying of Boron-Containing Structural Steels on Their Structure and Mechanical Properties

Under conditions of converter shop of JSC “ArcelorMittal Temirtau”, the authors have developed and implemented the direct microalloying technology of structural steels with boron. Microalloying was carried out due to boron recovery from the slags of the CaO–SiO2–B2O3–MgO–Al2O3 system formed in ladle furnaces. The use of the developed technology was provided in steels 08KP, 3SP, 3PS and 09G2S boron content of 0.0016–0.0050%, with a sufficiently high degree of metal desulfurization 36.8–51.7% and reduction in manganese ferroalloys consumption by 0.3–0.6 kg/t of steel, which improved the environmental situation by eliminating the use of fluorspar. For 09G2S steel, the yield σy and tensile σt strengths are higher for the experimental metal then for the steel without boron by an average 27 and 24 MPa, respectively. The elongation percentage of the metal with boron increased by an average 0.2%. The grain-size index of rolled metal of 08KP steel with a thickness of 2.0–2.5 mm, containing 0.001% of boron and a manganese concentration lowered to 0.18%, reaches 10.0 in contrast to 9.0 for the heats of the current production. The yield σy and tensile σt strengths are on average by 6.0 and 5.0 MPa higher for an experimental metal than for a comparative one. The percentage of elongation δ reaches 36.3% for the experimental metal unlike 33.3% for the heats of the current production. Experimental rolled metal of 3PС steel with lower concentration of manganese lowered by 0.02%, as well as with an average boron content of 0.001%, is characterized by an increased yield strength σy, tensile strength σt (on average by 2.0 and 9.0 MPa) and percentage of elongation δ reaching an average of 21.0% with fine-grained structure. The rolled metal of 3SP steel, microalloyed with boron and with a 4-mm thickness that contains manganese content reduced to 0.43%, is characterized by improved strength properties with preservation of plastic characteristics. The absolute value of the yield σy and tensile σt strengths of steel are by 4.0 and 2.0 MPa higher than the strength characteristics of steel without boron.

Theoretical Basics and Technology of Smelting Steel Semiproduct in Basic Oxygen Furnaces and Electric Arc Furnaces under Magnesian Slags

The results of basic studies of the physicochemical properties of slags are used as the basis for developing the rational composition of main magnesian slags and the process techniques for their formation by the periods of blowing a basic oxygen furnace (BOF) bath and the periods of smelting in electric arc furnaces (EAFs). The record-breaking durability of furnace linings is ensured by implementing, in the furnace shop of OJSC EVRAZ NTMK, the developed set of process techniques of forming magnesian slags in the main period of blowing and a wear-resistant skull based on the final magnesian slags. These slags produce a low aggressive effect on the lining of furnaces, while maintaining high refining properties. The furnaces’ lining durability exceeds 7000 heats; that said, the high process and key performance indicators of the process are maintained. The treatment of low manganese cast irons in the 350-ton heavy furnaces of OJSC EVRAZ ZSMK under magnesian slags allows studying the features of slag formation and changes in the chemical composition of the slag by the BOF bath blowing periods. In the course of treating phosphorous cast irons in the 300-ton BOFs at JSC ArcelorMittal Temirtau, a set of process techniques is developed for forming the magnesian slags of the recommended chemical composition by the periods of phosphorus cast iron blowing and wear-resistant skulls based on moderate-basicity final magnesian slags. The implementation of the developed process techniques ensures the lining stability of BOFs for more than 5000 heatings while maintaining the high process parameters and key performance indicators of the phosphorous treatment phase. The technology of forming rationally composed magnesian slags by the periods of smelting in EAF-135 is developed in the EAF shop of PJSC Seversky Pipe Plant. The adoption of the technology ensures the record-breaking resistance of the refractory lining of the furnace for up to 1900 heats per campaign and the high process parameters and key performance indicators of the process.

Enhancing eco-economic efficiency of mineral deposit exploration to achieve sustainable development in the mining industry of Kazakhstan

The article aims to study key aspects of sustainable eco-economic improvement of mining companies in Kazakhstan. The study involves ten of the most important companies of Kazakhstan that are engaged in ore extraction and metallurgy. In addition, a plan-do-check-act (PDCA) model to improve functioning of a decoupling-based analysis system was introduced. Despite high positions in a decoupling ranking, companies such as ArcelorMittal Temirtau, Vostochnoye Rudoupravleniye, Zhairem Mining & Processing Plant, and Kazphosphate LLP had plenty of room over the years to grow and reach eco-economic efficiency. The PDCA model enables companies to analyse their eco-economic management system in terms of efficiency, adequacy and feasibility at certain pre-set intervals. ArcelorMittal Temirtau and Kazphosphate tend to reduce their environmental footprints by using their current technical capacities. To improve resource consumption and sustainability of national/regional economy in the future, state and local governments of Kazakhstan should develop a system of instruments to regulate eco-economic activity of mining companies.