The total volume of processed ore at PFP LLC in the first half of 2019 amounted to 573,751 tonnes (84.5% compared to 1H 2018), which corresponds to 32,280 tonnes of ferronickel from ore raw materials (91.5% vs 1H 2018) or 6.1 thousand tonnes of nickel (81.3% vs. 1H 2018).
The main reason for the decrease in production volumes was operations running at reduced capacity, as PFP faced the need to eliminate the consequences of equipment failures during the heating of the ore-thermal furnace No. 1 after overhaul (since June the company’s production has been as close as possible to its targets).
The average monthly salary for 1H 2019 was UAH 10 395, which is 29.3% higher than during the same period in the previous year. Since 01.07.2018, the management of the Pobuzhsky Ferro-Nickel Plant, with the consent of Solway Group, decided to increase wages at the enterprise by 38%, for engineering workers – by 40%, and for workers – from 20% to 50%.
During the reporting period, PFP LLC paid taxes to the budget of Ukraine in the amount of UAH 51,498.6 thousand, which is 25.6% more than in the same period the previous year. Social contribution payments amounted to UAH 26,190.0 thousand (28.1% more than in 1H 2018), personal income tax and military levy were equal to 20,866.7 thousand UAH (25.2% more than in 1H 2018).
Expenditures for maintenance of the social sphere of the town of Pobuzhske in 1H 2019 amount to UAH 2,525.8 thousand (6.2% more than in the first half of last year). Moreover, PFP LLC spent UAH 2,534.2 thousand for sponsorship, cultural and mass work and health improvement of employees (almost at the level of the same period of the previous year – 98.4%).
In 2017, the plant began a long-term project of reconstruction of the third stage of gas purification equipment on tubular rotary kilns No. 1 and No. 2, which will result in the reduction of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere in accordance with international standards. The first stage has been completed as of today; the total amount of expenses equal to UAH 53,263 thousand.
Expenditures for personnel training in 1H 2019 amounted to 232.3 thousand UAH. In the first half of 2019, 37 people were educated in a training course and acquired new professions, and 17 people were retrained in another profession. An additional 80 people have advanced their professional skills. 5 employees are studying at universities: full-time study – 1 person, external degree program – 4 people.
Also in 2019, under the Social Responsibility Program, Solway Investment Group has continued the 2016 international scholarship for the children of its employees, as well as for the students of creative associations and educational institutions sponsored by Solway. The company offers a 6-month educational program aimed at integrating young creative people from local communities into contemporary life through learning English, learning about art and its cultural traditions in the modern world. As a result of the two tours, the most interested young people were given the opportunity to participate in the program of the youth music camp organized within the framework of the Salzburg international opera Festival.