Arab Steel reported that ArcelorMittal Annaba is expected to invest around USD 686 million to modernize the El Hadjar steelworks.

The main investments include restarting the plant’s coke batteries which stopped working at the end of 2009, as well as improvements to blast furnace number 2’s productivity and the construction of a DRI plant. The coke plant at the moment has a nominal capacity of 600,000 tonnes per year and would employ over 300 workers.

ArcelorMittal Annaba explained that the USD 650 million investment is part of a plan that has yet to be approved. Vincent Le Gouic the mill’s director, mentioned plans to modernize the hot dip galvanizing line by Q3 2011.

Meanwhile, the company confirmed that production at the plant returned to normal on January 26th after a recent week long workers' sit in ended.

(Sourced from Arab Steel)