ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih introduced three investment projects at public hearings, which are construction of a new LFCC-2 and 3 and coke oven gas pipeline, as well as the reconstruction of the LSM 250-4. Particularly, reports on environment impact assessment as a result of project implementation as well as further operation of new and reconstructed facilities were presented.
Environment Impact Assessment Law was adopted about a year ago (in December 2017) in Ukraine. It canceled environmental impact audit and introduced European model of environment impact assessment procedure. It, in particular, stipulates that companies are obliged to prepare reports for all new and reconstructed facilities, to show their potential impact on environment and to raise it for discussion at public hearings.
In December 2018, ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih held such first hearings on new electric air blower manufactured by Siemens. Now another three big projects were introduced to the public. The hearing was held by Andrey Tischenko, the representative of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Ukraine, chief specialist of Data and E-Service Security Division. Many environmental NGOs, members of city council representing various political forces, concerned citizens as well as representatives of ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih, engineering companies and authors of prepared reports took part in the hearings.
There were a lot of questions and propositions at the public hearings – above 130 regarding three projects. There were questions related to reports and presentations as well as the information mentioned in these documents. Various opinions were expressed including legal ones, referring to many topical subjects. For example, there was a discussion regarding timely prepared reports, completeness of provided information, documented confirmations and studies on potential impacts, forecast for future, cumulative effect, safety of company’s employees and citizens, jobs, investments and others, which sometimes went beyond topics discussed. Specialists of various departments of ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih answered some part of questions and provided explanations to many proposals. The answers to other questions, which require justifications and preparation, will be provided later in written form.
Despite hot discussions related to some critical issues, in general, public hearings and exchange of views were positive and meaningful for all participants. The law is relatively new and its enforcement practice is under development, a lot of its provisions can be variously interpreted, therefore at the initial stage many disputes and totally opposite opinions often arise. Over time it will be discussed in a calm, substantive and specific way – all stakeholders just learn to live under the new law.
Brief information regarding new investment projects:
1. Construction of a new coke oven gas pipeline from Coke Plant to Heat Power Plant-1 for power saving of consuming shops.
New gas pipeline 1.26 km long is constructed instead of the old one, which was under operation for decades and now is in poor condition. New gas pipeline is required to avoid accident risks that can cause a long production shutdown and social and economic losses. Besides, it is planned to purchase and install efficient automated equipment manufactured by Siemens. Including a set of software tools, which allow applying certain algorithm for system operation in whole.
2. Rolling Shop No. 2. Reconstruction of LSM No. 250-4 with transfer to billet with section 150х150 mm.
The main purpose of the project is installation of up-to-date equipment instead of existing obsolete ones. According to design engineering, mill’s capacity is to be increased from 800 to 1,400 tons per year, whilst consumption of energy resources is to be reduced.
One modern heating furnace manufactured by Italian company Danieli will be assembled instead of two outdated ones. This furnace with walking beam has a number of advantages: within it metal is heated from three sides but not from two sides as it was in the old ones. Also, heating mode can be easily adjusted that is important when rolled metal products are changed and cause increasing of furnace energy efficiency.
Danieli’s burners were manufactured by means of modern technologies therefore emissions would not exceed the limit established by environmental protection legislation. It is planned to use fume gas as heat-transfer material for air heating (with heat exchanger), that is supplied to zone of furnace combustion and then it flows to existing chimney by natural draft to the pipe 80 m high.
In comparison with current condition, air emission of basic pollutant will be reduced by 131 tons per year, including emissions of most frequent gaseous compounds reduced by 129.8 tons per year.
3. Reconstruction of continuous steel casting area with installation of LFCC Nos. 2 and 3.
Based on designed capacity, annual average estimation was made for steel production per year – 6.6 million tons (actual output, as a rule, is less – considering required equipment repairs). 2.8 million tons is accounted for two new LFCCs.
According to this data, expected total air emission will be reduced by 297.4 thousand tons per year. (AMKR/Ukrainian metal)