The Ukrainian steelmaker ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih, a subsidiary of steel giant ArcelorMittal, plans by the end of June to complete the reconstruction works at its blast furnace (BF) No. 9, which has been idled for the last six months. The restart of the furnace is scheduled for June 29, ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih's pig iron production manager Alexander Kolesnik stated.
As a result of the reconstruction, ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih's BF No. 9 will ensure stable and economical pig iron production by reducing the consumption of natural gas or even by completely excluding use of natural gas. However, during the current market situation, the plant does not plan to increase its output of pig iron, Mr. Kolesnik said.
In addition, the restart of its BF No.9 will allow ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih to idle its BF No. 7 for a scheduled overhaul.
In January-May 2009, ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih decreased its crude steel output by 42.6 percent to 1.893 million mt, its pig iron production by 42.5 percent to 1.682 million mt and its finished steel production by 40.1 percent to 1.765 million mt, all compared to the corresponding period of 2008. In May 2009, the plant produced 424,000 mt of crude steel, 369,000 mt of pig iron and 373,000 mt of finished steel products.