KIEV, Nov. 5 - Iron ore production by Ukraine's biggest mines slowed in the first 10 months of 2008.

Inhulets Mining told Interfax that it raised concentrate production 4.5% year-on-year in the ten months to 11.999 million tons. Inhulets is Ukraine's biggest iron ore concentrate producer. The Kiev-based Smart Group owns the mine but has transferred 82.46% of the shares to the strategic management of System Capital Management's Metinvest holding.

Poltava Mining, the core asset of Ferrexpo plc, said it raised commercial pellet production tentatively 3.6% year-on-year to 7.851 million tons. Iron ore concentrate production grew 2.3% to 9.061 million tons. PGOK exports most of its pellets. It sold 1.008 million tons in Ukraine in the ten months.