WEST SIBERIAN STEEL COMBINE, NOVOKUZNETSK, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05439A000300310055-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Sequence Number: 55
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
WEST SIBERIAN
METALLURGICAL
PLANT
NOVOKUZNETSK, USSR
DECLASSIFICATION REVIEW BY NIMA / DoD
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
TOP SECRET
t
r
I
IB - 195/64
28 April 1964
Copy # /
ATTENTION
THROUGH Chief, Requireme
FROM Chief, CIA/PID (
SUBJECT West Siberian St
REFERENCES (1) ORR Require
nts B
NPIC)
eel C
ment
ranch, Re
ombine, N
No. C-RR4
connaissance Group, CGS
ovokuznetsk, USSR
-81,078
(2) CIA/PID Pro
ject
No. C 354
-64
1. This memorandum is in response to the referenced requirement which
asks for a comparative study of construction, the location and description
of facilities at the West Siberian Steel Combine, Novokuznetsk, USSR, and
finally the preparation of a Photographic Intelligence Report.
t
25X1
t
W
i
25X1
2. The following KEYHOLE Missions were analyzed to complete this require-
ment:
The enclosed annotated map (CIA/PID/IB-P-62864) shows the location of
the West Siberian Steel Plant and associated facilities. Refer to Table I which
provides a summary of construction activity. Building sizes are provided on the
legend for CIA/PID/IB-P-63164.
s-~25<
TOP SECRET
GROW 1
Ezciaded from automatic
da~-ognding and
declau!Itcation
a Jft~ -- Approved For Release 2007/12/21 : CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
125X1
125X1
TOP SECRET
SUBJECT: West Siberian Steel Combine, Novokuznetsk, USSR
3. On the plant area was observed on good quality photo-
graphy (see enclosure CIA/PID/IB-P-629/64). At this time it would have been
impossible to identify the specific industry under construction. However,
knowing from later coverage what the installation would be, it was possible to
describe the stage of construction as of
Almost all of the facilities were in early stages of construction.
Some roads were complete and fill was in for some rail lines, but most of the
work was finished at a later date. At the heat and power plant, the boiler-
house (5) and generator hall (6) were started, the tall stack completed, and
the water intake channel (1) was nearing completion.
It appeared that the first coke oven battery (18) was nearing completion;
however, the by-products section (20) and coal handling facilities (17) were still
under construction. Some small buildings appear at the site of the blast furnace
(23) but construction of the furnace and related facilities has not begun. Two
parallel warehouses (35) were the largest buildings to date. Numerous.other
small buildings have been constructed; however, the excavations, for the-major
buildings, had not been started. The water treatment section (37) was in an
early stage of construction, as was the large storage area at annotation 8.
25X1 4. On Mission F ] the plant was seen on fair quality, snow covered photo-
graphy (see enclosure CIA/PID/IB-P-630/64).
C All components of the heat and power plant were complete (1 thru 6) and
the plant probably was in operation. The first coke oven battery (18), coal
handling facilities (17), and by-products section (20) were complete. A large
I plume of white smoke or steam at the coke oven indicates that this section was
in operation. Construction of a tall structure has been started in the area of
the first blast furnace (23). The large excavation (27) east of the blast furnace
I has been started; however, no buildings have been begun. In the east corner of
the plant area one large building (32) appears complete with a second one (33)
still under. construction. These two buildings are probably finishing mills.
Two additional warehouses (35) as well as several unidentified buildings
I have been constructed along the northern side of the plant. Although a few small
25X1 buildings were observed along the northwest side of the plant on Mission
25X1 construction activity, as seen on Mission is fairly advanced. This con-
struction is on the probable workshops (3 and the possible oxygen plant (16).
I Construction continues on the water treatment section (37). The southwest storage
area (8) is now fenced and at least one long narrow warehouse (7) was under con-
struction. Large quantities of unidentified objects are stored in orderly raj.l
served rows in the open. Equipment and special building materials maybe stored
here which will ultimately be used in the plant.
TOP SECRET
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
t
t
It
TOP SECRET
SUBJECT: West Siberian Steel Combine, Novokuznetsk, USSR
The road and rail network has been expanded and considerable ditching
has been completed. Fill is complete for a southwest-northeast oriented rail-
yard (14). Near the middle of the fill, for this railyard, a large excavation
(15) is present. The exact function of this excavation has not been determined;
however, it may be the beginning of a system for dumping and handling of incoming.
iron ore.
25X1 5. On Mission which provides excellent quality coverage, it can be
seen that construction has been advanced; however, much still remains to be com-
pleted before the plant will be operational (see enclosure CIA/PID/IB-P-631/6')?
At this time the identity of the plant becomes obvious. Construction of an open
hearth furnace building should be evident at this stage if they were to have one;
however, there is no indication that one will be built. Thus it appears that steel
will be made by the oxygen converter process
The oxygen converter building (28) is a tall multisectional structure
k (335 feet tall). Such height is
t
TOP SECRET
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
ac
(145 feet tal])with a tall associated s
required to provide vertical room for hoisting the oxygen lances. This building
is ideally located in relationship to the existing blast furnace, the area for
future blast furnaces, as well as the rolling mills. It appears that this building
will be extended to house more converters as the pig iron capacity of the plant
increases. The deep excavation (27) which is in line with the probable oxygen
converter shop may possibly be the site of a continuous casting operation. This
excavation, approximately 80 feet deep at the deepest point has been enlarged
and deepened and footings have been poured at the southern end (see enclosure
CIA/PID/IB_P_6314/6' for details of this site). Molten steel from the converter
shop would be carried to continuous casting equipment which would be installed
in this excavation. Pouring would be conducted at near ground level, eliminating
the need for lifting the molten steel. The steel would be cast into the desired
cross section and the finished billets, blooms or slabs would descend into the pit,
be cut into lengths, and hoisted back to the ground floor for transfer to the
rolling mills. Due to the early stage of construction at annotation 28 it is
not possible to make a positive identification; however, the idea of continuous
casting bears watching on future coverage..
25X1 As of the thermal power plant was in operation. Although
the by-products coke plant is complete it could not be ascertained if it was in
operation. A second coke oven battery (19) is under construction and the conveyor
system (22) between the coke plant and the blast furnace (23) has not been in-
stalled. It appears that one blast furnace, and its associated hot stoves and
casting house (21+) are complete, although the gas cleaning equipment and blower
house are still to be complete. No ore storage or stock trestle were observed.
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
TOP SECRET
25X1
SUBJECT: West Siberian Steel Combine, Novokuznetsk, USSR
ti-on (30) has been begun for a multisectional building which will be a rolling
mill.
appears to be nearing completion. Also at the northern end of the area, between
the aforementioned building and the probable warehouses, a large offset excava-
The probable finishing mill under construction (33) on Mission
The water treatment section (37) is either complete or is nearing com-
pletion. The probable workshops (36) and the possible oxygen plant (16) appears
to be nearing completion. The possible oxygen plant consists of a tall building
(16a) which possibly houses compressers and fractionation towers, an area con-
taining equipment (16d) and two unidentified buildings (16a and c). The road
and rail nets within the plant are also nearing completion. Numerous ditches
are present throughout the area. The storage area in the southwest (8) end of
the plant appears to be complete; three long, narrow warehouses (7) are completed
ved in
b
ser
and considerably more material is stored in the open than was o
6. The quality of coverage from 1004-1 and 1004-2 is relatively poor, being
somewhat oblique and hazy (see CIA/PID/IB-P-632/64). Nevertheless, it can be
ed that construction has continued. Since the last coverage in
i
d
t
n
erm
e
25X1 building 33 and 31 have been completed and a building similar to 33 is
going up aL j4. H e ivtyVl ayaac? as .-- r--
necting the flux unloading building (29) with the oxygen converter building (28).
A second bay or section has been added to the oxygen converter building. Near
the south end of the deep excavation (27) a building (39) has been added. Two
new excavation have been started; the one 40 is. unidentified while the excavation
at 12 appears to be associated with items 13 and 14. This may be the beginning of
an ore handling system; however construction has not progressed sufficiently for
positive identification. The blower house (25) for the first blast furnace appears
to be complete; however, it is still not possible to determine whether the blast
furnace is operational, but it is highly doubtful.
There is earth scaring at annotation 38 which is in line with the first
blast furnace and may possibly be the beginning of the foundation for a second
blast furnace. Additional construction continues at the possible oxygen plant
(annotation 16).
25X1 In the by-products coke plant and heat and power plant, as
37) are in operation. Tracks in the
ti
on
well as the water treatment plant (annota
snow cover indicate considerable activity throughout the entire plant area.
The roof cover of the main buildings completed byl lis
915,275 square feet. Additional 1+84,650 square feet is under construction at
this time. This figure does not include any roof cover for a structure at the
possible continuous casting site.
A rail-served limestone quarry is located just to the east of the plant
(see enclosure CIA/PID/IB-P-628/64).
TOP SECRET
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
 TOP SECRET
SUB Th T: West Siberian Steel Combine, Novokuznetskv.-CJSSR
7. Several general conclusions can be made after the analysis of the West
Siberian Steel Plant:
a. Only two major sections, the thermal power plant and the by-
products coke plant, can be considered to be operational as ofl
b. None of the construction activity indicates that open hearth
furnaces are to be installed, thus it appears that steel will be pro-
duced by the oxygen converter method. An oxygen converter shop has
been identified at annotation 28.
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
c. From the layout of the plant adequate space has been provided
' for expansion. Additional coke ovens can be added in line with the
present ones in the area annotated 21,-and furthermore, th` by-products
section is located off center from the existing coke batteries in anti-
cipation of such expansion.. Likewise, additional blast furnaces can be
constructed along a southwest-northeast axis, in the areas annotated 26
in line with the present blast furnace. See CIA/PID/IB-P-633/61+ for
over all dimension of various section of the plant. -
8. It has been reported that a sinter plant is also planned in this area.
Within the plant proper, there are no indications of a sinter plant nor are there
' facilities as yet, for ore storage or handling. However, approximately 7000 feet
southeast is located a large processing industry which is closely associated with
the subject iron and steel plant (see enclosures CIA/PID/IB-P-628,629, and 633/61+).
I Although this plant is considerably larger than the usual sinter plant, there are
certain factors which indicate that it may possibly be a sinter plant: first,
it is tied to the iron and steel plant by excellent rail connections; second, if
t it were supplying a raw material to the iron and steel plant the only remaining
bulky material needed, in large quantities, would be iron ore; third, the many
conveyors within the plant indicates that large quantities of bulk raw material
are handled, and furthermore the plant is connected by rail to a bulk storage area
I near the Tom River. This bulk storage area, in turn, is connected to an improved
site, on the river where some port or handling facilities may be in the process of
being installed. The possible Sinter Plant appears to be too large to serve only _
the subject iron and steel plant, therefore, it may be assumed that it is a cen-
trally located plant, which processes iron ore for the iron and steel complex with-
in the city of Novokuznetsk, as well as for the West Siberian Steel Plant. This
25X1 possible plant was completed prior to Mission althou h the
I improvements to the river area were not observed until Mission
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
 TOP SECRET
9. Vertical measurements were provided by TID/TAB (NPIC), and should
be approximately ? 10 feet within the limits of the system. Horizontal measure-
ments were provided by the PID/IB photo analyst assigned to the project and have
a.i" error of 10 feet based on five measurements of the same item.
10. The photo analyst assigned to this project was
cerning this project. This memorandum is in partial answer to the require-
ment. A Photographic Intelligence Report is to follow.
Enclosures:-
1 Annotated Map
(CIA/PID/IB-P-628/64)
5 Annotated Photo Enlargements
(CIA/PID/IB-P-629/61+ thru P-633/64)
1 Line Drawing
(CIA/PID/IB-P-634/64)
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78T05439A000300310055-4
25X1
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21 : CIA-RDP78T05439A000300310055-4
' * W ~ !LWLE ur vON i,rvvTI PROP C 11 1.~
MAJOR ITEM
Thermal Power Plant
1st Coke Oven
2nd Coke Oven
Coal Handling Equipment
By-Products Section
Blast Furnace
Converter Shop
Possible Continuous Casting
Possible Oxygen Plant
Rolling Mill
Finishing Mills
Water Treatment Section
Possible Sinter Plant
U/C
Nearing completion
Not begun
U/C
U/C
Not begun
Not begun
Not begun
Not begun
Not begun
Not begun
Early stage
construction
Completed
Complete
Complete
Not begun U/C
Complete
Complete
Early stage
construction Nearing completion
Not begun Stack completed
converter bldg.
mid-stage con.
Excavation Excavation
started enlarged
U/C Nearing Completion
Not begun Excavation
started
U/C Construction
continues
U/C Complete or
nearing completion
U/C
Nearing completion
Nearing completion
Construction con-
tinues
Probably complete
Excavation some-
what enlarged
Construction con-
tinues
Complete
TOP SECRET
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78T05439A000300310055-4
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78T05439A000300310055-4
IA/PID/IB-P- 629/64
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78T05439A000300310055-4
1. Water Intake Channel
5. Boilerhouse
6. Generator Hall
8. Open Storage
17. Coal Handling Facilities
18. Coke Oven
20. By-Products Section
23. Blast Furnace and Hot Stoves
35. Warehouses
37. Water Treatment Section
 T/1A f~r/~f1r'T
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
I I
25X1"?'"'
1. Water Intake Channel
2. Pumphouse
3. Underground Pipeline
4. Coal
5. Boilerhouse
6. Generator Hall
7. Warehouse
8. Storage Area
14. Fill for Railyard
15. Excavation
16. Possible Oxygen Plant
17. Coal Handling, Facilities
18. Coke Oven
20. By-Products Section
23. Blast Furnace and Hot Stoves
27. Excavation
32. Prob. Finishing Mills
33. Probable Finishing Mills
35. Warehouses
36. Probable Workshop
37. Water Treatment Section
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78T05439A000300310055-4
I
I
CIA/PID/IB-P-630/64
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439AO00300310055-4
2bA1
 '25X17
1. Water Intake Channel
SQ. FT.
DIMMS2 S ROOF COVER
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
19. Coke Oven Underconstruction
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
I I
a.
Possible Compressor and Tower Building 250 x 100
25,000
b.
Unidentified Building
225 x 160
36,000
c.
d.
Unidentified Building
Area (200' x 100') containing
Multi sectional
equipment
34,500
Pumphouse
Underground
Coal
Boilerhouse
Pipeline
28o x 165
46,200
Generator Ha
ll
51+0 x 115
62 , 100
Warehouses (three each)
935 x 55
154,275
Open Storage
Overhead Steam Line
Excavation
Building Foundation
Excavation
Ditch or Underground Conveyor
Railyard
Excavation
Possible Oxygen Plant
17. Coal Handling Facilities
18. Coke Oven (500' x 65')
(Temporary building over Coke Oven
20. By-Products Section
21. Area for future Coke Ovens
22. Ditch for buried Coke Conveyor
23. Hot Stoves and Blast Furnace
24. Casting Building
25. Blower House
26. Area for future Blast Furnaces
27. Excavation (Possible continuous
28. Oxygen Converter Building
29. Flux Warehouse
30. Excavation for Rolling Mill
31. Unidentified Building
32. Probable Finishing Mill
33. Probable Finishing Mill
34. Probable Finishing Mill U/C
35. Warehouses
36. Probable Workshops
450 x 65 29,250
building)
230 x 130 55,100
210 x 120
400 x 50 20,000
(Multisectional; 374,450
overall length 1630 Ft.)
290 x 80 23,200
450 x 135 60 , 750
69o x 190 131,100
58o x 190 110,200
590 x 90 169,950
330 x 85
48ox85 ?
480 x 100
36o x 110 67,850
260x75
175 x 50
0
TOP SECRET
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78T05439A000300310055-4
12. Excavation
13. Ditch or Underground Conveyor
14+. Railyard
16. Possible Oxygen Plant
25. Blowerhouse
27. Excavation (Possible Continuous Casting Building)
28. Oxygen Converter Building
29. Flux Warehouse
31. Unidentified Building
33. Probable Finishing Mill
34. Probable Finishing Mill
38. Excavation for Possible Blast Furnace
39. Unidentified Building
?+O. Excavation
p
25X1
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78T05439A000300310055-4
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78T05439A000300310055-4
5IA/PI3)/IB-P-632/6)+
-X46-
rOP SECRET
+e. WEST SIBERIAN .STEEL, COMBINE
" 21
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78T05439A000300310055-4
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
IA/PID/IB-P- 633/ 61-
16,630 Ft.
8,730 Ft.
WEST SIBERIAN STEEL COMBINE
Approved For Release 2007/12/21 :CIA-RDP78T05439A000300310055-4
A' Overall Length
B' Coke, Iron and Steel
less Power and Undeveloped
Area
C' Overall Width
D' Length Blast Furnace Area
E' Width Blast Furnace Area
F' Length Coke Oven Area
G' Width Coke Oven Area
 Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4
1
0
r
M
M
M
Y
M
CROSS SECTION AND PLAN VIEW
OF EXCAVATION FOR
POSSIBLE CONTINUOUS CASTING BUILDING
ANNOTATION NO. 27
ciA/PID/IB-P-63I/64
Approved For Release 2007/12/21: CIA-RDP78TO5439A000300310055-4