It is reported that the Ukrainian steelmaker ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih a subsidiary of steel giant ArcelorMittal has recommissioned its blast furnace No 9 which due to the reduction in the producer output had been idled since November 7 last year for repair works.

As a result of the repair works, ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih aims to reduce the consumption of natural gas or to completely exclude the use of natural gas at its BF No 9. In addition, the restart of its BF No 9 will allow the plant to idle its BF No 8 for a scheduled overhaul and its BF No 7 for capital repair.

Mr Jean Jouet general director of ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih’s said the plant is to maintain its pig iron output almost at the same level as in previous months ie, about 400,000 tonnes and to increase the BF No. 9 output in case of necessity.

In January to June 2009, ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih produced 2.114 million tonnes of finished steel down by 38.7%YoY, 2.293 million tonnes of crude steel down by 41.5% YoY, 2.025 million tonnes of pig iron down by 41.7% YoY and 3.661 million tonnes of agglomerate down by 36.4% YoY all compared to the first six months of 2008.

(Sourced from SteelOrbis)
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