Evraz to stop Irbinsky iron ore mine July 1
KRASNOYARSK. Jan 21 (Interfax) - Evraz plc confirmed it would close its Irbinsky iron ore mining branch in the Krasnoyarsk territory on July 1.
The company said the branch had been operating at a loss for several years and that its reserves were almost depleted. The mine will operate as normal until July 1.
"A working group has been set up with the Krasnoyarsk territory's administration and trade union and is drafting a program of employee support and special adaptation, which we will put to the employees soon," Evraz said.
Works from the Irbinsky branch will be offered jobs at any other Evraz site, he said.
The Irbinsky branch is in the Kuraginsky district. An order to close it was signed at a meeting between Andrei Denyakin, managing director of Evrazruda, the group's iron ore division, and the branch's unions on January 11, the Krasnoyarsk territory's trades union federation said in a statement, quoting Denyakin.
The Irbunsky branch is geographically the most isolated of Evraz's mining units and its iron ore concentrate the most expensive to produce. Evraz halted operations there between November and December 31, 2012, and 800 employees were sent on leave with two-thirds pay.
Evrazruda also has branches in the Kemerovo region and Krasnoyarsk territory.
It ha said the Irbinsky branch boosted iron ore production 38.4% in 2011 to 2.36 million tonnes.