It is reported that, after a halt lasting one year, Italian steelmaker Ilva is to restart operations at its blast furnace No 1 on January 18th 2010.

The initial production rate at the BF No 1 will not exceed 50%. At the same time, the producer's mill No 2 will also restart operations, while its mill No 1 will work with only one converter and one continuous casting workshop.

As a result of these decisions, hundreds of personnel will be called back to work, though the official number is not known.

On the other hand, Ilva is going to stop operations at one of its strip production facilities for a period of one month and so other workers will be sent on temporary leave.

(Sourced from www.steelorbis.com)