heat-resistant and refractory clays"
1. Theme topicalityUkrainian clay is known all over the world due to its quality. About 30% of the world reserves of china clay is located in our country. “Vesko” in Druzhkovka, Donetsk region, sells clay to 30 countries. The biggest consumers of Druzhkovka clay are Italy, Spain, Turkey, Greece. For thousands of years people have used pottery in production and everyday life. The north of Donetsk region is famous for high-quality clay. People learned about this unique deposit long time ago. Archeological diggings have proved that first potters in Druzhkovka area appeared thousands of years ago. However commercial production of refractory clay of Novo-Shveytsarsky deposit began only in 1932. At that time main mining instruments were shovels,"matches" and clay was transported by horses. 2. Technological production processThe complete technological process “Vesko” fulfils by itself, with its own machinery and specialists. Auto and machine park of the enterprise is equipped in accordance with all modern requirements. All employees have special education and necessary working experience. “Vesko” uses a unique system of quality control. Thus, due to the used technology Vesko can guarantee high quality and constant technological characteristics of clay mixtures, which is certified by international quality certificate ISO 9001 and environmental certificate ISO 14001, 1997. In “Vesko” technological process there are 3 main stages: 1. Uncovering and extraction. This stage includes a complex of mining operations ranging from geological prospecting and removal of the overburden (soil) to clay extraction and transportation to the buffer warehouse. 2. Processing and storage. This stage is connected with grinding and mixing of clay with various chemical and ceramic indices and formation of the clay grade with definite characteristics, as well as storage of clay mixtures in a special way in special areas. 3. Shipping. The final stage of the technological process includes shipping of clay mixtures to consumers in specialized open-top wagons or motor transport. An independent structural subdivision – quality service – controls each stage of technological process. It is responsible for the production quality during the whole production process. So, quality is the basis of “Vesko” operational activity. 3. ConclusionJSC “Vesko” is situated near Druzhkovka, Donetsk region, Ukraine. Before 1994 it was called “Veselovsky refractory and heat-resistant clay quarry”. It is the biggest enterprise specializing in clay extraction. Its history as an independent enterprise goes back to May 1967. Despite difficult economic situation in our country the enterprise adapted itself in modern conditions, which is proved by constantly rising production and selling volume. The enterprise has reconstructed production and started development of one of the biggest deposits in Ukraine – Andreyevskoye – with reserves estimated at 60 mln tons. The approach to work and production technology have also changed, technology of preparing working mix from the deposit clay has been developed and improved. Ukrainian clay is a serious competitor at the ceramic tile market in many Mediterranean and CIS countries. This market has high technical demands: high baked strength and plasticity, light colour after baking, absence of dark insertions, high vitrification characteristics, constant quality. High strength and light colour after baking make Ukrainian clay a very attractive product in this market segment. |