Tikhvin Ferroalloy Plant

In 1994, a company was established to construct a $110 million manufacturing plant capable of producing 140,000 tonnes of ferrochromium and 150,000 tonnes of crushed residue per year. A 1997 referendum in Tikhvin opposed the establishment of the plant, but after acquiring the unfinished project in 2001, ICT Group announced its intention to complete its construction.[1] The opening of the plant remains contentious. It is seen as an example of government collusion with big business.[2][3]

The Tikhvin Ferroalloy Plant finally began production in 2007.[4] A low world demand for ferrochromium delayed the factory's ramp-up to full production, with two furnaces started in 2007 and another two in 2008. The company began production from concentrated chrome ore from the Mechel-held Voskhod chrome processing plant (ГОКа "Восход-Хром"[5]) in Kazakhstan in early 2009. The plant's four furnaces have a maximum power of 22.5 MW. In 2009 production was 53,900t (chromium equivalent) with a typical chromium content of 69-70% in the ferroalloys.[6][7][8] In 2010, it employed 720 people.[4]

In April 2008, the plant's owner, Oriel Resources, was acquired by Mechel. In 2013, Mechel sold its ferroalloy holdings, including the Tikhvin plant, to Yildirim (Turkey).[9][10] [11]