Iranian semi-governmental steelmaker Arfa Iron and Steel Company is to put its direct reduced iron (DRI) making plant into operation in June 2010, according to company managing director Mr. Ahmad Keyvanara.
Mr. Keyvanara stated that the direct reduced iron making plant is being constructed by two Iranian contractors Iritek and Irasco on the basis of contracts worth Rials 470 billion (approx. US$47.18 million) and €58 million respectively.
The managing director went on to add that the company's new 800,000 mt capacity EAF-based steelmaking plant which is currently being built by Chinese contractor MCC at a cost of €132 million will be put into operation in 2011. The new steelmaking plant will produce semi-finished steel, i.e. billet and bloom. Both of the plants in question are under construction in Ardakan city in the central Iranian province of Yazd.