Beloretsk Iron and Steel Works

The Beloretsk iron ore deposit was first found in the year 1762 in the Ural region, a region known for its abundant mineral resources, situated on the boundary between Europe and Asia. This valuable deposit of industrial minerals was stumbled upon near the Magnitnaya mountain, which is predominantly made up of exceptionally pure iron. The credit for this discovery goes to two enterprising merchants, Ivan Tverdyshev and Ivan Myasnikov, who saw the potential in extracting raw metal from the ore. They took their enthusiasm a step further by submitting a formal request to the Orenburg government in 1759, seeking permission to commence the extraction process. The government, recognizing the significance of their proposal, granted them the necessary authorization, thereby paving the way for immediate mining operations to commence.

In 1762, the pioneering establishment of the first iron foundry took place in the town of Beloretsk. This momentous event was made possible by the collective efforts of serfs hailing from various regions within the vast Russian Empire, including Simbirsk, Arzamas, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Alatyr, and more. Despite being in its infancy, the foundry already showcased impressive productivity, churning out an astounding 122.5 thousand pounds of pig iron and 80 thousand pounds of iron on an annual basis.

During the uprising led by Yemelyan Pugachev in 1773, the Beloretsk foundry was left in ruins and set ablaze. However, after three arduous years of diligent efforts, the foundry was painstakingly reconstructed and revitalized, eventually regaining its former glory. By the year 1777, the foundry had remarkably managed to surpass all expectations, producing an astounding quantity of 110,131 poods of pig iron.

In the year 1784, ownership of the Beloretsk Foundry underwent a significant transition, as it was transferred to the eldest daughter of Ivan Myasnikov, who then became married to the nobleman A.I. Pashkov. As part of this marriage agreement, the foundry was bestowed upon Pashkov as a valuable dowry.

By 1800, pig iron produced at the foundry was of high quality and was considered one of the cheapest in the Urals. Beloretsk iron (called "Pashkovsky") was famous for its light workability and ductility.

In 1866, the Beloretsk foundry underwent a significant transformation as it became a state enterprise. Additionally, in 1874, a joint-stock company titled the Union of Pashkov Ironworks was established in the town of Beloretsk. This particular company, which was under the ownership of the Moscow trading company "Vogau Trading Company", set out on a mission to revamp and restore the operations of the Pashkov Ironworks. The initial step taken towards this goal involved the modernization and enlargement of the existing blast furnaces. Furthermore, there was a complete overhaul of the smelting process. It was in the year 1876 that the original melting furnaces were replaced with a notable upgrade of twelve highly efficient Swedish melting furnaces.

In 1894, the plant completed its first open-hearth furnace, a major achievement. The furnace could hold a large amount of steel and required workers to manually load materials, including pig iron. The plant also used horseback to transport ore from Mount Magnitnaya.

Back in 1882, the establishment of a rolling mill marked a significant milestone in the industrial landscape. This pioneering endeavor paved the way for the construction of diverse types of rolling mills, including large-scale, small-scale, and wire-specific mills.

By 1900, the plant had experienced significant growth, producing a remarkable amount of steel. This growth demonstrated the plant's dedication to progress and innovation.

Fast forward to 1912, when a groundbreaking addition was made: the introduction of a 650-slope rolling mill. With this innovative technology in place, the rolling mill was able to produce top-notch iron, billets, and sheet metal, thereby elevating the quality standards within the industry.

Starting in 1912, a narrow gauge railway stretching over a distance of 400 kilometers was constructed, connecting the villages of Zaprudovka (Kataf-Ivanovsk), Inzer, Tukan and Beloretsk. The primary purpose of this railway was to facilitate the transportation of various goods and commodities. Over the course of several decades, this railway served as a vital lifeline for the efficient transportation of ironworks products, as well as establishing crucial connections between numerous isolated and far-flung regions.

In the period spanning from 1913 to 1914, a significant milestone occurred with the construction of the inaugural powerstation at the ironworks. The following year, 1915, witnessed a series of noteworthy events, as the flat furnace plant underwent a complete reconstruction, and concurrently, the commencement of the production of round and square wire marked a pivotal moment in the ironworks' history.

In 1914, a factory started operating that produced wire and nails. It had three buildings, each with a specific purpose. The first building had a department for etching and annealing metal, which helped produce high-quality wire efficiently. The second building focused on manufacturing nails, which were important for construction and other industries. The factory also had a section dedicated to making telegraph hooks to meet the increasing need for communication infrastructure. After two years, the factory expanded its operations to include the production of barbed wire. This decision allowed the factory to meet the growing demand for fencing materials and strengthen its position as a leading provider in the wire and nail industry.

The Beloretsk ironworks experienced significant disruptions during the tumultuous period of the Russian Revolution and the ensuing Russian Civil War from 1917 to 1920. As a result, its operations were forcibly halted, only to resume functioning again in 1921. However, the ironworks saw a new beginning in 1923 when it embarked on its first-ever venture into Russian steel wire production. This marked a significant milestone for the company, as it expanded its capabilities and diversified its product offerings.

The ironworks continued to progress and grow, as seen by the installation of the first rope-making machine in August 1925. This technological advancement allowed for efficient production of ropes, further enhancing the ironworks' reputation as a reliable supplier of steel products.

The year 1937 witnessed yet another significant achievement for the Beloretsk ironworks, with the installation of another state-of-the-art machine dedicated to the production of very thin steel cables. This marked a continuation of the ironworks' commitment to staying at the forefront of industry advancements and meeting the ever-changing needs of its customers.

The ironworks remained committed to innovation and modernization, as shown by the introduction of a new machine in 1936. This machine was specifically designed for making thin steel cables, meeting the changing needs of different industries. The use of this advanced technology not only demonstrated the ironworks' ability to adapt but also strengthened its position as a leading player in the steel manufacturing industry.

In 1940, the Beloretsk ironworks underwent a reorganization and expanded into a comprehensive enterprise that included mining, metallurgical, and sheet-rolling facilities. During the Great Patriotic War, the enterprise played a crucial role by accommodating the evacuation of hardware plants from Moscow, Odessa, and Donetsk. This resulted in a significant increase in steel production, reaching a peak of 160,000 tons in 1943, which was 146% higher than pre-war levels in 1940. To meet the demands of the defense industry, the enterprise started manufacturing wirerod using alloy grades melted through the flat furnace method.

In the year 1959, a significant and pivotal occurrence unfolded when several separate factories, previously functioning autonomously, were merged together to form a vast and awe-inspiring steelmaking complex. This momentous fusion gave rise to an extraordinary enterprise that not only supervised and controlled every aspect of the steel production process, but also achieved unparalleled excellence in crafting exceptional metal items, commencing from the initial smelting of iron ores all the way through to the meticulous fabrication of superior finished goods.

During the 1950s, the Beloretsk steelmill implemented its proprietary techniques to manufacture robust metal cords, employing ultra-thin latun wire, which were specifically designed to enhance the strength and durability of tires used in both automobiles and aircraft. Additionally, the company ventured into the production of micron-sized wire, utilizing alloy steel and resistance alloys, thereby expanding its range of offerings and catering to various industries' demands.

The metal cord plant began operating in 1961, and the high-strength wire plant followed in 1962. In 1970, the plant team worked extensively to establish and start the alloy wire plant.

In 1980, a rolling mill called number 150 was put into operation. It was a highly automated machine capable of producing 400,000 tons of wire per year.

The plant stopped using its blast and flash furnaces in 2002 due to economic factors and shifted its focus to producing steel wire rope.

In 2003, the plant was acquired by Mechel and has been officially named Beloretsk Metallurgical Complex since 2016.

The Beloretsk Steel Plant marked its 250th anniversary in 2012 by unveiling a monument dedicated to Ivan Tverdyshev. The sculpture, created by sculptor Natalia Kulikova, stands 2.5 metres tall and was crafted at the Kasli Architectural and Artistic Foundry.

A new wire production line was put into operation at the plant in June 2021.

• 
  Beloretsk Iron and Steel Works
• 
  Beloretsk Iron and Steel Works
• 
  Beloretsk Iron and Steel Works