The ferrovanadium output of the Russian steel producing and mining company Evraz Group has increased in 2010 by 68.2 percent compared to 2009 to about 13.51 million mt, following its acquisition of the largest Russian ferrovanadium producer Vanady-Tula in November 2009.
Specifically, the production of ferrovanadium at Evraz's own facilities in 2010 showed an increase of 149.2 percent year on year to 5.25 million, while output of ferrovanadium processed at third parties' facilities went up by 39.4 percent year on year to about 8.26 million mt.
With assets in Russia, South Africa, United States and the Czech Republic, Evraz is the only producer of vanadium-rich ore in Russia and is one of the largest producers of vanadium slag globally. In 2010, Evraz's total production of vanadium slag increased by 8.1 percent compared to 2009 to 20.97 million mt. Of this volume, 8.67 million mt of vanadium slag was produced at Evraz's South African operations - up 6.3 percent year on year as old slag crushing capacities were recommissioned at Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium in Q4, and 12.3 million mt were produced at Evraz's Russian operations - down 6.2 percent year on year, due to decreased steel production at Evraz's NTMK steel mill resulting from the modernization of its converter shop.