Kryvbas increases iron ore production: how the key industrial region of Ukraine operates.

Kryvbas, one of the most productive mining and metallurgical regions of Ukraine, continues to supply the country with important minerals despite the challenges of war and logistics. In 2025, the main focus is on iron ore, its enrichment, and investments in stable operational capacity.

The editorial team of Novyny.LIVE reports on what is being extracted in the region now and what the prospects are.

Iron ore mining in Kryvbas

Kryvbas uses three main types of iron ores:

• Rich ores (iron over 46 %), which are mined underground for direct metallurgical needs;
• Magnetite quartzites (iron over 10 %) — mined by open-pit or underground methods;
• Oxidized iron quartzites (30-46 %), which require enrichment.

Proven reserves exceed 32 billion tons of ore, with the potential for annual production of up to 190 million tons of raw ore and processing of up to 70 million tons of marketable products, as mentioned by the Institute of Geology.

Iron ore mining is carried out by two main methods:

1. Open-pit mining in quarries. This involves large-scale mining operations, where giant excavators and dump trucks move tons of rock.
2. Underground mining in mines. This involves complex engineering structures reaching depths of over a kilometer, where specialized equipment extracts the ore.

However, modern mining is not just about excavators and mines. It also includes new technologies aimed at improving efficiency and safety. Companies are implementing innovative automation systems, using high-precision equipment for ore analysis and monitoring production processes.

Concentrate production

Extracted iron ore does not immediately go to metallurgical plants. It undergoes a complex enrichment process. Kryvbas has powerful mining and processing plants (MPP) that convert low-grade ore into high-quality iron ore concentrate.

The enrichment process includes several stages:

• crushing — the ore is crushed into small fractions;
• magnetic separation — using strong magnets to separate ore minerals from barren rock;
• flotation — a special process that allows the extraction of valuable components from the ore.

The result of these processes is iron ore concentrate — a powder with an iron content of 65% or more. This concentrate is the primary raw material for producing pig iron and steel.

Prospects for Kryvbas

In 2025, Kryvbas continues to modernize its mining industry. Companies are investing in new technologies to enhance competitiveness. Special attention is given to the environmental aspect. The use of modern filtration systems and treatment facilities helps reduce the impact of production on the environment.

In Kryvbas, in addition to iron ore, other minerals are also being explored. Although their extraction is not a priority, the region has significant reserves:

1. Building stone.
2. Limestones.
3. Granites.
4. Other mineral resources.

The region also has the potential for developing green metallurgy. This direction involves the use of renewable energy sources and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

'Today, Kryvbas is an extremely important industrial center, and its future depends on the combination of traditional mining and the implementation of innovative technologies aimed at preserving the environment and increasing production efficiency', emphasize the Institute of Environmental Management and Ecology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian mining and metallurgical region Kryvbas continues to actively function and develop in the field of iron ore extraction. The enrichment of minerals, the use of cutting-edge technologies, and attention to ecology allow for maintaining stable production activities in the region and working towards enhancing the quality of products and preserving the environment.