IFM furnace ramping up
JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The ramp-up of one of integrated ferrochrome producer International Ferro Metals’ (IFM’s) furnaces, shut down as part of State-owned power utility Eskom’s power buy-back programme, was progressing and on track to read full load this month.
The company noted that the furnace, which was shut down in February, had been successfully restarted on June 1.
During this period, IFM’s other furnace operated normally, while the company’s cogeneration facility generated in excess of 10% of total power consumption.
“In May, 10.3% of total consumption was achieved, close to our 11% target. This augments the cost reduction initiative, as the cost of this self-generated power is significantly lower than bought-in power from Eskom.
“It is pleasing to note that both ore and power consumption efficiencies have improved, which is attributable to both the stability in operations, as well as improved metallurgical control of the production process. Initiatives implemented to improve electrode management had the expected impact, with no operational issues experienced with the electrodes during this period,” IFM noted in a statement on Monday.
In November last year, the company said both furnaces had experienced productivity issues owing to recurring electrode breaks.
IFM had established that this was owing to the use of inadequate-quality electrode paste and, in January, reported that it had dealt with the problem.
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