Azerbaijan, Baku, August 1/ Trend E. Kosolapova/
Kazakh metallurgy group Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation PLC (ENRC) increased extraction of some ores in the first half of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011, the company reported on Wednesday.
In particular, the company increased chrome ore extraction by 5 percent to 1.267 million tons compared to the same period of 2011. Manganese ore extraction hit 750,000 tons in the reporting period (1.8 percent increase compared to the same period of 2011). Copper extraction increased by 14.2 percent to 418,000 tons and cobalt ore production increased by 39.2 percent to 341,000 tons.
Meanwhile iron ore extraction fell by 6.8 percent to 9.893 million tons in the reporting period.
In January-June 2012 ENRC also increased coal extraction to 4.392 million tons (0.7 percent increase compared to the same period of 2011).
ENRC's aluminum production remained at the level of 62,000 tons in the first half of 2012 as it was in the same period of 2011.
Company's alumina production decreased by 8.1 percent to 376,000 tons in the reporting period.
Ferroalloys production decreased by 0.9 percent to 435,000 tons in the first six months of 2012.
Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation is one of the leading diversified natural resources groups with integrated mining, processing, energy, logistical and marketing operations. ENRC production assets are largely located in Kazakhstan. Moreover the company operates in China, Russia, Brazil and Africa (the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa). ENRC is the world's largest producer of ferrochrome on a chrome content basis and one of the world's significant iron ore and alumina producers.