Science and production - a successful tandem

The 70-year path of the scientific center is a whole encyclopedia of victories and achievements, discoveries and innovations. It is impossible to imagine the successful operation of the plant without our research scientists.

Today, the management of UMP and the main production facilities congratulate their colleagues from the SC on this significant anniversary.

Vladimir Vakhnenko, First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board - Chief Engineer of UMP JSC:

– The level of development of science-intensive technologies directly characterizes the economic development and production potential of any enterprise. And if we talk about our scientific center, its role for UMP can hardly be overestimated.

I myself am a scientist! My first years at UMP were spent in the uranium laboratory. I know many specialists, we worked together. Today, SC staff is headed by a very experienced and, most importantly, scientifically “savvy” leader - Manarbek Kalymovich. SC staff is highly professional, experienced specialists are our "monsters" of science, who pass on their invaluable experience to young employees. The Scientific Center is able to implement the most ambitious plans, to be a pioneer in the development of new scientific and industrial horizons.

On this wonderful anniversary, I wish the SC team good luck in research and breakthrough projects! Let ideas not run out, and dreams become a reality at the speed of light! Good health, joyful mood, human happiness, family warmth, love, well-being and prosperity!

Konstantin Kuzmin, Director of Uranium Production:

– The role of the scientific center is very important for UMP. Without SC, it is impossible to improve existing and introduce new technologies, and, consequently, the progress of our enterprise. SC staff has a high level of competence, which allows, together with production, to solve almost any tasks. For example, with the specialists of the center, technologies have been developed for processing: chemical concentrate of natural uranium to nitrous oxide of natural uranium, hard-to-recover Uranium-containing concentrates, highly enriched Uranium; production of AFA 3G design pellets. Certification of pellet production and development of technological regulations for the refining project were also carried out.

I wish that SC people have good health, a peaceful sky above your head, the embodiment of new ideas and fruitful work together with production facilities for the benefit of our own enterprise!

Evgeny Frants, Director of Beryllium Production:

- A scientific center is vital for the normal development of production. Dozens of years of joint work of science and industry already speak volumes. Almost all important work and projects are carried out by BP with the support of the research center. After the collapse of the USSR, allied research institutes closed beryllium projects aimed at the interests of UMP. And our factory science was forced to solve the problems that had piled on at once. The most urgent task was to recreate the technology and production of beryllium powders in new areas. In a short time, a new technological chain (the so-called "dry" process) for obtaining powders was designed, manufactured and installed. In this work, the organizational talent of the head of the beryllium laboratory, Farit Tuganbaev, was especially noticeable, who then successfully participated in the creation and led the Kazakhstan Mint. In the early 2000s, our scientists actively helped in the restoration of BP, an invaluable contribution to this work was made by Tatyana Moroz, Igor Levanevsky, Vera Rybakova, Vadim Kenig. They also participated in the creation of new industries: carbothermic copper-beryllium master alloy and beryllium copper. In all these projects, we remember the brilliant work of Valery Savchuk, who entered the top ten most authoritative beryllium experts in the world.

One of the most significant joint works is the complete replacement of imported materials used in the lining of the Whiting carbothermal furnace with materials produced in Kazakhstan and Russia. This, accordingly, led to a reduction in the cost of the lining set by several times. Also significant for the image of UMP and BP is the development of a technology for producing large-sized billets and products from Titanium Beryllide (TiBe12). Billets with a diameter of more than 150 mm and a height of more than 200 mm with a density of more than 98% of the theoretical were fabricated. Available sources do not contain data on the production anywhere in the world of Titanium Beryllide billets with such dimensions.

We sincerely congratulate the employees of the Scientific Center on the 70th anniversary of the factory science! We wish you new successful projects, development of the scientific and technical base and scientific and practical potential! Worthy salary to you, health to you and your families!

Alexander Angilevko, Director of Tantalum Production:

– Over the past years, together with the specialists of the Scientific Center, a lot of work has been done on the development and implementation of technologies for manufacturing products from tantalum, niobium and their alloys (ingots of high purity - up to 99.999% by weight, rolled products, wire, rods, sputtering targets, trays for sintering, etc.). A big milestone for TP was the production of superconducting wires, the production of round and flat wires, galvanic busbars for the large project "Accelerator Accumulating Complex" for TOKAMAK research thermonuclear fusion facilities.

Two joint works were awarded with V. Potanin award. These are “Development of technology and creation of production of our own niobium ingots” and “Obtaining potassium fluorotantalate using the technology of continuous precipitation in continuous molds”.

Now, when time is money, it is important to note the efficiency of the employees and management of the SC, who quickly respond to emerging consumer requests and tasks.

Congratulations to the scientific center on its 70th anniversary! We are confident in further fruitful cooperation and would like to wish the team bold ideas, creative ideas and their successful implementation!

Boris Koksharov, Process Engineer of the Mining and Processing Complex:

– Interaction with the SC allows us to determine the prospects for the development of production. Currently, SC laboratory of Tantalum in MPC is working on “Complex analysis of MPC flows. Determination of ways to increase the efficiency of flotation in order to process raw materials with a fluorite content of 35-37% while maintaining the established TEC due to a more complete extraction of fluorite. It will serve as the basis for the development of technical regulations for the modernization of the flotation section of the factory, starting in 2023.

Work continues on the use of widely used flocculants to accelerate the settling of the concentrate in the thickener, which will reduce the loss of finished products and create a reserve for the implementation of the task of modernizing the flotation process.

SC engineers show a high level of professionalism, solving such diverse tasks - from research in the chemical analysis of tantalum raw materials and precision properties of powders to mining and processing production with its volumes and problems.

We wish the SC new achievements in shaping the future of our company, health, well-being and good mood to our colleagues!

Razia Sertaeva