NEWS RELEASE
May 29, 2003 More
info: Tom Allen (724) 266-5720
For Immediate Release
Ticor S-A Begins Merchant Pig Iron Production
Ambridge, Pa Ticor S-A, formerly Kumba Heavy Minerals, began operation of its new metal treatment plant in Empangeni, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa in March 2003. The plant processes Ilmenite ore from Kumba's mineral sands deposits.The plant's primary output is Titanium Dioxide, recovered from slag produced in the refining process. The pig iron produced as a byproduct is carefully controlled as to its chemistry and is sold as feedstock for Electric Arc Furnace plants and foundries.
The new Economy Industrial pig iron casting machine, rated to produce 60 tons of iron pigs per hour, was supplied with a hydraulic ladle tilter to provide controlled pouring of Kumba's iron ladles. The machine is equipped with state-of-the-art automatic control systems, to improve reliability and reduce operating manpower. The current design features improved automation systems and controls..
Economy Industrial Corp. supplied the equipment under sub-contract from Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH Ltd., who provided the balance of the equipment for the metal treatment plant, including the fume extraction system.
The plant is currently operating with one arc furnace, but a second has been ordered to double throughput capacity. Ultimately, four furnaces are planned for the facility. The casting machine was designed to permit the later addition of another strand, to double its capacity as the plant expands.
The new pig casting machine, Economy Industrial’s second installation in South Africa, will incorporate the patented process control system used at Mansbach Metal Co. in Ashland, KY, USS/Kobe Steel, in Lorain, OH, and by Iscor Steel in Pretoria, South Africa.
A third South African installation is expected to be hot commissioned in July 2003. Economy Industrial Corp. is also currently designing two large pig iron casting machines for an installation in Australia, and a ferroalloy casting machine for installation in Canada.
Based in Linz, Austria, Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH, the parent company of Voest-Alpine Industries (SA) (Pty) Ltd, has an international reputation as one of the world’s leading metallurgical plant builders. It has a long history of innovation in products and processes for the steel industry and offers the complete spectrum of all related iron and steel making technologies from raw materials to the finished products. To date more than 750 major industrial projects in some 80 countries have been successfully completed.
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