DNIPROPETROVSK, Jan. 12 – Mining and metallurgical companies are making preliminary forecasts and expect that production in 2012 will not be lower than in 2011, according to Ukrrudprom, the association of Ukrainian mining enterprises.

As a spokesman for Ukrrudprom said at a meeting in Dnipropetrovsk on Wednesday, imports of crude iron ore to Ukraine considerably declined in 2011, which translated into an increase in shipments of local crude iron ore to domestic steelmakers.