Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works’ strategy targeted at reducing the negative impact the company makes on the environment consists in switching to modern technologies, putting up new conservation facilities where today’s best technologies would be implemented, and doing away with the obsolete equipment in the old production shops.

In the early 90s, most of the company’s facilities were badly worn out. 70% to 75% of these facilities have by now been replaced, and some new production units were put up. For example, three coking plants were removed from the coke and by-product processing shop and eight shaft furnaces were done away with at the limestone-dolomitic shop. In addition, Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MMK) got rid of its flushing and processing plant, agglomeration shop, two blast furnaces, thirty-four open-hearth furnaces, the blooming mill department, six section mills, and four etching units. MMK’s upgrading program that has been implemented since 1989 has already resulted in some massive reduction in the amount of emitted pollutants. The figure dropped by 545,000 tons a year, which is three times less than at the start of the program. The company now produces 22.8 kilograms worth of emissions per one ton of steel, which is in full compliance with all the world’s metallurgical enterprises’ standards. The company is also working on its long-term environmental protection program valid through 2015. The program provides for some investments in more efficient conservation measures and for reduction of the negative environmental impact of the company’s activity, MMK’s press officer reports.