Oskol Electrometallurgical Plant (OEMK), part of Metalloinvest, has completed the first stage of implementing industrial artificial intelligence (AI) to control its metallization unit.
Metallization units are used to produce direct reduced iron (DRI) pellets, which together with hot briquetted iron are used in electric arc furnace steelmaking.
The digital solution was developed following data collection and systematization across key production units, enabling the training of the AI system for process control. The system analyses production data to recommend optimal operating conditions and support faster decision-making.
According to the company, trials demonstrated stable control of iron and carbon content in pellets, with the system continuing to improve through ongoing data input.
OEMK plans to expand the use of AI solutions across other production areas as part of its broader digitalization strategy.
Metalloinvest is a major global metals and mining company and the largest iron ore producer in Russia and the CIS. The vertically integrated group operates iron ore mining, pelletizing, HBI/DRI and steelmaking facilities, with annual production of about 36 mln tons of iron ore, 23 mln tons of pellets, 7.8 mln tons of HBI/DRI and 3.5 mln tons of crude steel.