It is reported that Chhattisgarh government has given its formal consent to Steel Authority of India Limiteds Bhilai Steel Plant to mine iron ore in Rowghat after receiving approval from the ministry of mines recently. As per reports, BSP now needs approval of the mining plan from Indian Bureau of Mines for seeking further forestry clearance from the ministry of environment and forests.

Mr R Ramaraju MD of BSP thanked the state government for its support and initiative that Bhilai could begin mining in Rowghat in 4 to 5 years' time, which will prove to be a lifeline for BSP to realize its ambitious growth plan.. He said that parallel efforts have also been made by BSP to get the other necessary clearances and the entire process is at an advanced stage.

He added that the development in Rowghat should also bring cheer to the scores of ancillary industries dependent on Bhilai as well as all stakeholders concerned about the future of Bhilai Steel Plant.

As per reports, Rowghat has about 500 million tonnes of iron ore reserves.

It is reported that 7 companies signed deals with the Chhattisgarh government for setting up a total of 4,990 MW coal based power plants with a total investment of INR 218 billion.

The details of deals inked are as under

Dr Raman Singh chief minister of Chattisgarh said that Chhattisgarh is on track of becoming the country's power hub by 2011. He said Chhattisgarh has the potential to meet the power demand of the whole nation. Several major domestic investors are lining up to set up thermal plants.

Local Media has reported that Coal India Limiteds subsidiary Central Coalfields Limited will soon introduce Continuous Miner Technology in its underground mines to increase coal production

Mr RK Saha director technical (P&P) of CCL said that the technology would first be introduced at Churi project, where the annual production is around 0.16 million tonnes and is expected to enhance production to 0.5 million tonne

He said that CCL is presently preparing notice inviting tender for the technology and that the supplier would have to ensure a minimum guarantee of coal production with penalty and bonus clauses.

CCL, presently it produces 2 million ton coal from underground mines and aims to take in to 11 million ton by 2025

Exim News Service has reported that Railway Ministry has instituted action on North-South, East-West, East-South and Southern freight corridors covering about 7,000 kilometer by asking RITES to conduct feasibility studies and submit its report by the year end. The 4 new corridors were likely to be implemented during the 12th Plan

The North-South corridor will run from Delhi to Chennai, the East-West corridor will cover places between Howrah to Mumbai, the East-South corridor will run from Kharagpur to Vijaywada, the Southern corridor will connect ports on the Eastern and Western sides of the country.

The cost of the 4 corridors was estimated at about INR 70,000 crore at INR 10 crore per kilometer.

Indian Railways is now working on 2 freight corridors, 1 running from Tughlakabad to Mumbai and the other from Ludhiana to Howrah at an estimated cost of INR 35,000 crore.

It is reported that Vizag Port has handled 40.77 million tonnes so far, as against last years figure of 41.35 million tonnes and is expected to reach 55 million tonnes during 2006-07. On containerized cargo, the port had achieved an improvement of about 10% during this period.

Mr MS Rao deputy chairman of VPT told media that VPT, while maintaining its supremacy in cargo traffic handling among Major Ports, as on date, expected to reach the 2005-06s figure of 55 million tonnes by the close of this fiscal.

The reduction in traffic is attributed to iron ore and coking coal. VPT handled only 7.3 million tonnes of iron ore during April to December 2006 as compared to 9.85 million tonnes during April to December 2005 and 5.17 million tonnes of coking coal as compared to 5.62 million tonnes in April to December 2005.

Indo Asian News Service reported that Coal India Limiteds Central Coalfield Ltd has geared up to curb illegal mining that has claimed thousands of lives in Jharkhand and is preparing a detailed report on illegal mining in the officially closed mines for submission to CIL.

Mr Ajai Kumar director of CCL said that Efforts are on to check illegal mining in our operational areas. We have succeeded to a large extent. Concrete walls have been erected near the closed mines to prevent villagers from entering them. Some such mines have been flooded to prevent illegal entry.

As per report, CCL has lodged 270 FIRs against illegal miners in the last five years.

It is reported that New Mangalore Port Trust is expected to handle 13,320 containers in 2006-07 as against the annual container traffic of 9646 TEUS in 2005-06.

Rail traffic has shown significant growth with the commencement of goods traffic through Mangalore Hassan BG Line and as a result 2.145 million tonnes of cargo moved through rail during 2006-07 as against 1.5 million tonnes during 2005-06.

0.760 million tonnes of fertilizer and 0.629 million tonnes of coal was handled during April to December period up by 61%YoY and 64% YoY respectively over the previous period.

Haryana government has urged central government to award coal linkage to Haryana for the setting up of a 1,000MW to 1,200MW coal based thermal power project at Hisar in Haryana.

Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda chief minister of Haryana said that the union power ministry had already recommended allocation of coal linkage of 5.83 million tonnes per annum for this project to the union ministry of coal, has included this project for implementation during the 11th Plan Period and recently granted it the mega project status.

As per reports, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited is planning to set up of a 1,000MW to 1,200 MW coal based thermal power project and the state government had agreed to contribute 20% of the project cost by way of equity and the remaining 80% is proposed to be raised through loan from Power Finance Corporation, Regulatory Electricity Commissioner and National Capital Region Planning Board.

National Highways Authority of India has awarded Sadbhav-SREI Consortium an order worth INR.510 crore for rehabilitation and up gradation of 4 laning of 56.47 kilometer Lakhnadon highway in Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra border on BOT basis. The concession period of the project is 20 years inclusive of construction period.

Their work involves design, construction, development, finance, operation and maintenance of the work or rehabilitation and upgrading to four lane from KM 596/750 to KM 653/225 on NH-7 in Madhya Pradesh under North-South Corridor NHDP Phase II on BOT basis.

According to figures released this week by Chinas General Administration of Customs, China's steel exports hit a record high in 2006 of 43.01 million tonnes up by 109.6% YoY while imports dropped by 28.3% to 18.51 million tonnes resulting in net steel exports of 24.5 million tonnes for the 2006.

Chinas steel exports in December 2006 surged by 19.9% over November 2006 to cross 5.55 million tonnes up by 205% YoY as compared to December 2005. On the other hand, December 2006 imports of 1.51 million tonnes down by 17.5% YoY as compared to December 2005 but up by 2.3% over November 2006 resulting in net steel exports during December 2006 at 4.04 million tonnes.

China imported 28.62 million tonnes of iron ore in December 2006, and imports for the whole year totaled 326.3 million tons.

China Iron & Steel Association recently predicted that Chinas iron ore imports are likely to rise to 355 million tonnes in 2007.

According to the International Iron and Steel Institutes Committee on Packaging PACKCO more than 5 million tonnes of steel cans were recycled in 2005, which represents an average recycling rate for steel packaging of 64.9%.

The rate has been continuously rising over the past five years. The 2005 recycling rate for steel packaging is 7.4% higher than in 2001. To calculate the recycling rate, IISI gathered data from its members in six regions of the world. This covers approximately 65% of total world production of packaging steels.

Mr Roger Steens chairman of PACKCO said Packaging steel has again justified its unique position as a sustainable material for the packaging industry. Steel cans are not only durable, tamper resistant, shelf stable and convenient containers, but also very considerate to the environment. Recycling has always been a priority for the steel industry.

Recycling steel saves both the environment and energy. Mr Steen added that Minimizing our impact on the environment is our responsibility to future generations. Recycling 5 million tons of steel packaging in 2005 saved enough energy to power 4 million mid size family homes for a year or the entire city of Vienna for six months.

Reuters citing sources familiar with the situation reported that BaoSteel Groups top management has decided for a listing of its core steel assets in New York and has launched a search for accountants and lawyers to help it meet US listing standards. The amount of money to be raised in the offer has not been fixed. Baoshan Iron & Steel Co Ltd, the listed arm of BaoSteel group, currently controls almost all of BaoSteel Group's steel assets.

The report cites a banker as saying that no time frame for a New York initial public offering has been set because of the large amount of accounting work and other documentation needed and the actual listing of BaoSteel shares in New York may not occur by the end of this year. Some investment bankers seeking business with BaoSteel said it might simultaneously list in Hong Kong as well as New York.

BaoSteel group has considered an overseas listing at various times over more than half a decade, but each time suspended those plans because of stock market or industry conditions. Analysts believe now would be an ideal time to pursue a New York listing because of surging foreign demand for Chinese assets and the Chinese steel industry's recovery in the past year.

A BaoSteel spokesman, contacted by telephone, declined to comment beyond repeating earlier statements that the company was always seeking an appropriate time to list abroad. Mr Xu Lejiang group president had said in last September that "Overseas listing has always been our goal. Our company is still looking for good opportunities to go public overseas, so as to become an international corporation."

Interfax China citing a company official reported that China's largest stainless steelmaker Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group Co Ltd estimates that it will reach annual sales of RMB 80 billion ($10.25 billion) in 2007.

Mr Su Yong said that a 1.5 million tonnes capacity SS cold rolling line would start operation in March 2007 and with this line TISCO aims to reach annual sales of RMB 80 billion ($10.25 billion) and profits of RMB 6 billion ($ 770 million) in 2007. The project started construction in September 2004 and the estimated investment amount is RMB 26.7 billion ($3.38 billion).

Mr Su added that the capacity of the whole project is designed to reach 15 million tons by 2010, consisting of 3 million tons of stainless steel capacity and 12 million tons of carbon steel capacity.

TISCO's estimated annual sale in 2006 was RMB 50.5 billion ($6.47 billion) up by 40% over 2005 and profits are likely to be about RMB 4.5 billion ($ 0.58 billion) up by 96%.

Chinas General Administration of Customs revealed recently that China's trade surplus reached $177.47 billion in 2006 as its exports rose by 27.2% YoY over 2005 to $969.08 billion and imports were up by 20% YoY to $791.61 billion. China's exports and imports in 2006 reached $1.76 trillion, $338.78 billion more than that in 2005, a YoY growth of 23.8%.

The trade figures for 2006 are higher than the Ministry of Commerce projection, which forecast the aggregate trade surplus would be $168 billion.

Seven countries or regions had bilateral trade volume with China of over $100 billion in 2006, with China's top three trading partners, the European Union, the United States and Japan over $200 billion. Taiwan for the first time saw its trade with China's mainland surpass $100 billion to $107.84 billion.

Electronic and machinery products remained the top export items in 2006, rising by 28.8% YoY to $549.44 billion. Exports of clothing reached $95.19 billion up by 28.9% YoY and exports of textile products rose by 18.7% YoY to $48.8 billion. China exported 43.01 million tons of steel in 2006 up by 109.6% YoY.

China's imports of primary products rose by 26.7% to $187.14 billion in 2006, including 326 million tons of iron ore up by 18.6% YoY. Steel imports dropped by 28.3% to 18.51 million tons while autos were up by 40.7% to 229,000 units.

Customs experts estimate that China's trade volume will surpass $2 trillion in 2007.

The European Commission announced that it wants a future international agreement to fight climate change, under which industrialized countries cut greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 30% below 1990 levels by 2020. The EC plans to take the lead by cutting EU GHG emissions autonomously by at least 20% by 2020 and by 30% as part of a satisfactory global agreement. The proposals come under the EC's Climate Change Package, part of its Strategic Energy Review unveiled on Wednesday.

EC said that "Climate change is among the gravest environmental, social and economic challenges facing mankind, and it is already happening. Urgent action is needed to limit climate change to a manageable level and prevent serious physical and economic damage. In the longer term, greater emissions reductions will be necessary and developing countries will also have to be part of the global effort: worldwide emissions will need to be cut by up to half of their 1990 levels by 2050.

Mr JosManuel Barroso president of European Commission's president while announcing a number of energy proposals said The region needs a new post industrial revolution. We have already left behind our coal based industrial past. It is time to embrace our low carbon future."

However a fierce debate is unfolding about whether industry and the European economy can afford higher commitments to pollution reduction targets and whether Europe should make unilateral commitments, while large polluters from the United States to China are taking smaller strides. Mr Gnter Verheugen industry commissioner of EU wrote to Mr JosManuel Barroso in November "We need to demonstrate environmental leadership, but there is no point in doing so if we have no followers, especially if this comes at significant cost to the EU economy. Our growth and jobs priority must not be endangered.

Mr Wurth of Arcelor Mittal during a recent interview had said that tougher EU policies to cap emissions could threaten some of our plants because they would significantly raise costs. He argued that instead of battling pollution, the measures were encouraging less production in Europe and more imports from places with fewer environmental regulations.

It is reported that officials from Mexicos Coahuila state are calling for arrest warrants against people it considers responsible for the deaths of 65 men following an explosion at the Pasta de Concho coal mine last year.

Mr Jorge Torres the state proscecutor for Coahuila accused the mine owner Grupo Mico SA and Mexicos labor ministry of deep, offensive negligence and believes that the disaster could have been avoided. Mr Torres claims to have evidence including testimony from miners, which proves that the mine was unsafe and had poor ventilation, and is waiting for the results of an investigation carried out by the Labor Ministry before he makes a request for arrest warrants.

Mr Juan Rebolledo head of international relations of Grupo Mexico said that the company would not take any action in response to Mr Torres` declarations until arrest warrants or indictments were given. He added that prosecutors could not know the cause of the explosion because rescuers had not yet arrived at the bottom of the mine making it extremely hard to draw up conclusions.

Grupo Mico SA, one of the largest miners, spent millions of dollars on rescuers who had to battle with high temperatures, poisonous gas and rock falls in trying to reach the men but in the end they were only able to recover two bodies.

Xstrata Alloys announced that it had concluded a R575 million black economic empowerment transaction with the Bakwena Ba Mogopa community for Xstratas Rhovan vanadium facility near Brits in the North West province of South Africa. The transaction is subject to the standard regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2007.

Through the transaction, the community will have an effective 26% participation in the Xstrata Alloys vanadium business through a pooling and sharing venture, similar to the Xstrata-Merafe Chrome venture. Xstrata and the community will establish an executive committee comprising both Xstrata and community representatives which will have overall management control of the Rhovan operations

The 470 employee operation produces vanadium pentoxide and ferrovanadium from a vertically integrated facility and the community is the surface owner of the property on which the facility is located.

Xstarta said that the vanadium transaction is the last empowerment deal to be concluded by Xstrata South Africa as the coal, platinum and chrome businesses had already finalized their BEE ownership.

JMB reported that Japanese integrated steel makers will offer $40 to $50 per tonne of hike for shipbuilding steel plate for South Korean shipbuilders for April to September shipment under tight supply when they start the negotiation as early as next week.

On October 27th 2006, a new policy was officially released to impose a provisional 10% duty on export of semis like billets and slabs effective from November 1st 2006. This move followed the cancellation of 13% export tax rebate for semi steels in April 2005 to strengthen the Chinese government's intention to hold down export of high energy consuming, heavy polluting, low value addition and resource intensive products. Now rumor even goes that there would probably another increase of 5% in export tax on semis.

But far from slashing export volume, the policy stimulates the semis exports regardless of high prices and the export volume of Chinese semis hit record high in November 2006, reaching 1.47 million tonnes up by 0.54 million ton over October 2006.

The effect of export tax on semis export is to realize in two ways, one is to press the export sentiment by increasing the export cost and the second is to reduce overseas demand by distracting tax cost to importers. As Chinese exporters raised semis export price by $20 per tonne to $30 per tonne after the announcement of the policy and it is clear that the policy work through the second way.

The record exports suggest that there is still large demand in overseas countries, even at higher prices. So the phenomenon could not simply lead to the conclusion of the non-performance of the policy. Exports in November normally means contracts in October, so the record November export volume is probably contributable to the unprecedented transactions in October given widely circulated rumor on export tax on semis.

As expected, December semis export volume finally saw a slump to 0.49 million ton, down by 0.98 million ton than November, which may prove the idea to some extent. Besides, Chinese government also wishes to observe the influences of first round of export tax on semis.

Being primary products, semi steels are not encouraged to export in large amounts. But the profit of semis export is not always lower than that of deep-processing and high value added steel products given the continuous change of supply and demand situation. Now billet export price rise to $420 per tonne FOB, which compares with $390 per tonne FOB for rebar. Thus it is more understandable that why there is so many semis exports.

Asian countries, the major destinations of Chinese semis exports, account 95% of its export volume. Actually they have to import semi steels to meet their large demand that local producers could not supply. In addition, exports to such countries would not lead to trade frictions, which is a big worry to Chinese steel makers. Under such circumstances, it is really a pity that Chinese steel makers would give up this profitable market should government continue to raise export tax rate.

For the first 11 months of 2006, total semis export volume reached 8.54 million ton, accounting 14.4% of increased crude steel output. It is certainly a win-win strategy to maintain current export tax rate because it not only bring considerable profits and tax revenue, but also alleviate domestic supply pressures and meet the strong demand in overseas countries. So it is better to take opportunity to export semis at moderate rate since there would be less and less exports when overseas price go down in the future.

In conclusion, it is in the interest of China to limit semis exports in the long run. The export tax has successfully improved its export cost and pressed down the export volume in December. Maybe it is enough at moment. In the short run, it is not a good idea to increase export tax rate and better to maintain it given the current situation.

(Sourced from MySteel.net)

It is reported that the state owned Nigerian Coal Corporation will sell 10 of its 21 coal properties to local and international private investors as part of its on going privatization program for divesting from all ownership in the Nigerian coal sector.

As per reports, NCC will sell its Okpara and Onveama mines and the Enzinmo, Inyi and Amansiodo coal fields in the Engugu state. In addition, it plans to dispose its Okaba and Oboyoga coal fields in the Kogi state and the Ogwashi-Azagba lignite field.

The NCC was established in 1950 and had the exclusive rights to mine coal in Nigeria until 1999 after which the Nigerian government established a policy and legislation that deregulated mineral exploration and exploitation opening up the sector to private industry participation.

Interfax reported that Ukrainian iron ore mines boosted pellet production in 2006.

Ukraine's biggest producer Poltavsky GOK increased pellet production tentatively by 10.2% YoY to 8.55 million tonnes and iron ore concentrate production by 15.7% YoY to 9.621 million tonnes. PGOK exports around 90% of its pellets mainly to customers located in Austria, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, the former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Italy. Switzerland's Ferrexpo AG owned 85.8491% of PGOK as of mid September.

System Capital Management's Tsentralny GOK or Central Mining and Beneficiation Plant from Kriviy Rih raised iron ore pellet output 3.1% YoY in 2006 to 2.217 million tonnes. Concentrate production rose 4.6% to 5.572 million tonnes. The mine sells most of its pellets to Ukrainian steel mills. It sold 2.209 million tonnes to the Azovstal mill last year. SCM controls 99% of its shares.

SCM's Severny GOK mine in Kriviy Rih increased commercial pellet production by 33.9% in 2006 to 10.1 million tonnes. Iron ore concentrate output jumped 12% to 11.963 million tonnes. SCM controls 99% of SGOK.

The critical interdependence of USs domestically produced steel and America's national security is detailed in a new industry analysis, which urges public policies that promote further investment in domestic manufacturing rather than increasing reliance on foreign sources of steel and steel related products.

Issued by the American Iron and Steel Institute, Steel Manufacturers Association, Specialty Steel Industry of North America and United Steelworkers, the analysis explains that the US steel industry's ability to supply the defense establishment will depend on its ability to compete in its commercial markets and maintain an onshore manufacturing presence.

It outline that with much of America's steel related manufacturing base being moved offshore due to market distorting, and often illegal, foreign government incentives and unsound economic policies at home, the US military could lose its principal source of strategic metals and if this were to occur, the United States would become dangerously dependent upon unreliable foreign sources of supply.

The report details the importance of domestically produced steel to USs national defense and highlights the increased need for steel to improve USs major military platforms, strengthen the nation's industrial base and harden our vital homeland security infrastructure. It notes further that all segments of the domestic steel industry contribute directly or indirectly to the defense industrial base. From missiles, jet aircraft, submarines and Humvees, domestic and specialty metals play an important direct role in the strength of the US military

The analysis also singles out the government of China's massive support of its steel industry as an artificial advantage in international competition that, if left unchallenged, will result in the continued transfer of significant defense-related manufacturing capability to this growing military power in Asia.

To download a complete copy of "Steel and the National Defense" please visit www.steel.org .

It is reported that China has failed to achieve its target of reduction in the amount of energy it uses to generate each dollar of national income and of reducing emissions of major pollutants.

Mr Pan Yue deputy minister was quoted saying on the website of the State Environmental Protection Administration that "2006 has been the grimmest year for China's environmental situation. The goals set out by the cabinet at the start of the year, of cutting energy intensity by 4% and emissions of pollutants by 2% cent have absolutely not been achieved." Mr Pan did not reveal that by how much difference China missed the goals.

China has become the world's top emitter of acid rain causing sulphur dioxide, with emissions rising by 27% from 2000 to 2005, mostly from coal fired power stations. Pollution in northern cities is compounded by heavy use of use of coal for cooking and heating, vehicle exhaust fumes and construction dust.

DPA news agency reported that the German government has cancelled a meeting scheduled for Friday with political and industry leaders to discuss the future of domestic coal mining.

As per reports, Germanys Social Democrats want to delay a vote on when domestic coal mining will end while the Christian Democrats want to close all mines by 2018 at the latest and the meeting was cancelled because there has been no movement from either side.

The dispute about when to close the mines must be resolved before RAG AG can carry out its initial public offering, tentatively planned for this year. A large portion of the funds raised in RAG's IPO will be turned over the government, which will use the money to cover the costs of ending coal mining in Germany in 2014 and also pay off RAG's debts. RAG has debts of about EUR 8 billion most of which stem from its German mining activities.

Several RAG shareholders, including E.ON AG, ThyssenKrupp AG and RWE AG are willing to sell their RAG shares to the government for the symbolic price of EUR 1 per share in exchange for debt relief.

Interfax reported that Ukrainian Industrial Policy Ministry announced that Enakievo Metallurgical Plant plans to increase pig iron production by 14.7% to 2.5 million tonnes and 2.81 million tonnes of crude steel in 2007.

An official at the Industrial Policy Ministry told Interfax that this is a tentative target. The plant initially planned to increase pig iron production by 22% to 2.66 million tonnes, but the ministry asked Ukrainian steelmakers to target more realistic growth figures taking into account raw material supplies.

Enakievo increased its finished roll production by 19.3% YoY to 2.6 million tonnes in 2006, crude steel production by 13% YoY to 2.546 million tonnes and pig iron by 13% YoY to 2.201 million tonnes.

Australia's Perilya Limited announced that it has temporarily shut down its Broken Hill zinc lead mine in New South Wales following a fatality at the mine overnight on January 9th 2007. The incident occurred underground at the Southern Operations which supplies 90% of the mine's production and involved the remote operation of mobile equipment.

Mr Len Jubber CEO of Perilya's told Platts that the immediate priority was for the company to support the employee's family and talk to the workers to help them through this difficult time. Mr Jubber added the mine was shut for initial investigations and he expects the mine to be up and running in a day or two. Mr Jubber said there will not be a significant impact in production as the operations can be boosted to catch up on loss production.

The Broken Hill mine is the 10th largest zinc mine in the world.

Handan Steel Group totally produced 7.93 million tons of crude steel, 6.04 million tons of pig iron and 7.7 million tons of steel products during 2006. It is expected that the steel group will realize sales revenue of 28 billion Yuan, pretax profit of 3.6 billion Yuan and profit of 1.8 billion Yuan.

The steel maker also reached great achievements on energy saving and cost reduction. Compared with 2005, Handan Steel's costs were cut by 11.6% of 17420.1 billion Yuan during January to November 2006.

Among the total, Handan Steel totally made 6.04 million tons of pig iron, 6.41 million tons of crude steel and 6.15 million tons of steel products.

(Sourced from MySteel.net)

United States Steel Corporation announced the appointment of Mr Scott H Coleman as general manager of Minnesota Ore Operations in place of Mr Dennis G Quirk who has been named plant manager of Edgar Thomson Plant. Mr Coleman will report to Mr George F Babcoke VP plant operations and Mr Quirk will report to Mr Anton Lukac GM Mon Valley Works with immediate effect.

Mr John H Goodish executive VP & COO of US Steel said "Throughout their careers with US Steel, Dennis and Scott have each demonstrated strong leadership and management skills in a wide range of steelmaking operations and a willingness to serve the company where they are needed. In their new assignments, their experience, leadership ability and technical expertise will continue to contribute to our company's strong performance and enhance our organizational strength."

Interfax reported that Ukrainian Industrial Policy Ministry announced that Zaporizhiya based, Dniprospetsstal steel works produced 312,000 tonnes of finished roll in 2006, which was 4.3% YoY more than in 2005 and its crude steel production rose by 2.6% YoY to 519,000 tonnes.

Dniprospetsstal is a producer of sections and bars and forged products made from special steels including stainless, ball bearing, corrosion resistant, high speed, instrument making steels and nickel based heat resistant alloys.