United Minerals Group is currently investing in development of a railway station in Mertsalove. As a result of modernisation efforts, the company managed to maintain the sales volumes of clay, ensure good working conditions for the station workers and provide stable jobs for employees of clay-mining companies.
Political and military situation in the regions caused interruptions in rail shipment of products. Many companies in Donetsk Oblast faced this problem yet not all of them managed to address this important issue and keep volumes of sales at the same level.
In 2015, UMG bought Donkerampromsyrovyna, a ceramic raw materials producer, and started developing another shipping channel via Mertsalove station in Dobropillia district. This move helped the company find the answer to interrupted clay shipments by rail, keep sustainable operations of its clay mining businesses (Vesco, Druzhkivka Ore Mining Group and Vognetryvnerud), ensure stable salaries and scope of taxes paid to different budgets.
To date, UMG’s clay products have been shipped by rail via Druzhkivka and Mertsalove stations.
Development of the station is a priority.
The company has planned a number of upgrades to increase efficiency of the new shipping channel by enhancing the station’s capacity and improving working conditions. Investment will make about UAH 12 million.
MERTSALOVE UPGRADING ACTIONS:
- modernising rail car washing facilities
- buying a wheel excavator for loading cars
- building additional track and switches
- repairing boxes and adjacent area
- making a capital overhaul and building new loading sites
- installing units and cleaning buckets, repairing a winding gear.
“Starting upgrades of Mertsalove, we set two objectives: to improve efficiency of the loading assembly and create employee-friendly working environment,” Serhiy Shevchenko, Deputy of General Director for Clay Mining Management at UMG, commented on the company’s plans. “We have taken all planned actions to develop the station and thus improve the production process. I believe we have met the objectives.”