marcona corporation's pellet making capacity of 3.3 million tons makes it one of the largest independent producers of iron ore pellets in the world this capacity is coupled with a large reserve of low cost ore below is shown the i9'/i foot diameter rotating discs which form the green pellets prior to their being fired into a hardened finished product in order to maintain its competitive position through enhanced productivity marcona has utilized the most efficient operating methods and equipment an example of marcona's continuing attention to productivity improvement is the present downhill ore conveyor shown in two views below when completed the conveyor will carry iron ore the entire 9.5 mile distance from the mine to the port of san nicolas where it is beneficiated prior to being loaded aboard ore-carrying ships marcona's affiliate san juan carriers ltd provides the economies of large scale ocean transportation through its fleet of bulk cargo carrying vessels including the new 63,000 deadweight ton san juan trader shown below