Indias leading stainless steel maker Jindal Stainless Ltd will invest an additional INR 50 billion in its Orissa plant to double its production capacity to 1.5 million tonnes annually.

Mr VS Jain CEO and MD of JSL told PTI that "We are planning to make fresh investments of around INR 50 billion in our Jajpur plant in Orissa, which would double our overall production capacity. The investment would be made in addition to the INR 23 billion invested in the first Phase. We plan to have an installed capacity of around 0.8 million tonnes in Jajpur by the end of Phase II. The company would start a third phase of expansion at the plant to achieve 1.6 million tonne target after completion of the second phase.

The first phase of investment is scheduled to be completed this year and it was made to install basic input requirements including a ferrochrome unit and a captive power plant at the facility.

Mr Jain said "The project would be funded mainly through internal accruals but in case need arises we would also tap the market. The expansion plan is expected to be completed in 36 months and it will take JSLs overall production capacity to 1.5 million tonnes per annum from the present 0.7 million tonnes.

JSl presently operates three plants in Hisar, Visakhapatnam and Jajpur. JSL expects Hisar plant's capacity to touch 0.6 million tonnes this year while the Jajpur plant is presently operating at around 0.1 million tonnes per annum.

Indian government has invited global mining companies to invest in India to facilitate the flow of overseas capital in the miming sector.

Mr Ashwini Kumar union minister of state for commerce and industry while addressing at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum said that a long term iron ore exploration and export policy was also being framed to draw investments.

Mr Kumar also underlined the importance of formulating a comprehensive strategy for the mining industry that will factor in environmental concerns and imperatives of resettlement of displaced persons. He said Democratic governments need to be responsive to the sensitivities of the people attached to land, which was also a symbol of their identity.

The participants included top officials of Alcoa, Alcan, Arcelor Mittal and Anglo American, Severstal, Africa Rainbow Minerals and the De Beers Group.

Gujarat NRE Coke Limited is planning to list its subsidiary Gujarat NRE Australia on the Australian Stock Exchange to raise AUD 25 to AUD 30 in the first half of 2007.

Mr Arun Kumar Jagatramka VC & MD of GNCL said that so far the GNCL has invested a total of INR 200 crore in its Australian subsidiary and the current value stands at around INR 800 crore.

GNCL has a 99.6% stake in Gujarat NRE Australia, which owns and operates a mine, NRE No 1 Colliery, formerly known as South Bulli Colliery, having reserves of approximately 300 million tonnes of coking coal and is located in the southern coalfields of New South Wales, Australia. Gujarat NRE Australia holds the consolidated coal lease and other mining tenements, which include mining purpose lease and exploration license to the NRE No 1 Colliery.

The Bangalore based GMR Group announced that it will bid for ten forthcoming road development projects in various parts of the country worth around INR 30,000 crore. Mr Madhu Terdal CFO of GMR Group said that "Out of these we are confident of bagging at least two to three projects."

GMR Group has already completed four laning of the highways between Tuni and Anakapalli on NH-5 in Andhra Pradesh for a distance of 60 kilometer and between Tambaram and Tindivanam for a distance of 93 kilometer in Tamil Nadu. GMR Group has started the construction for more projects including 35 kilometer long Ambala to Chandigarh, 58 kilometer long Farukhnagar to Jadcherla, 102 kilometer long Adloor Yellareddy to Pochanpalli and the 73 kilometer long Tindivanam to Ulundurpet

GMR group had entered into the roads sector when the government invited bids to develop roads under the golden quadrilateral scheme in early 2000. GMR Group has posted revenue of around INR 110 crore from its road infrastructure business in the nine months period ended December 2006.

Noted bureaucrat and ex chairman of Steel Authority of India Limited Mr V Krishnamurthy and Dr JJ Irani director of TATA Sons & ex MD of TATA Steel are among those chosen for the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan respectively on the eve of the 58th Republic Day.

Noted jurist Mr Fali S Nariman, well known writer Mr Khushwant Singh, former cabinet secretary Mr Naresh Chandra and former chief justice of India Mr PN Bhagwati, former home secretary Mr NN Vohra, Mr Balu Sankaran for medicine, late author Mr Raja Rao, economist Mr Raja J Chelliah, former bureaucrat Mr V Krishnamurthy and US based Mr Sudarshan Erinackal Chandy George for science and engineering were among the 10 eminent personalities named for the Padma Vibhushan awards announced.

The other eminent personalities chosen for Padma Bhushan include well known political scientist Mr Bhikhu Parekh, noted social worker Ms Ela Gandhi, poet Mr Gopaldas Neeraj, Pepsico CEO Ms Indra Nooyi, lyricist Mr Javed Akhtar, American economist Mr Jeffrey D Sachs, apanese industrialist Mr O Suzuki, social worker Ms Mohini Giri, Bharti Telecom CEO Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, Kerala playwright Mr Kavalam Narayan Panikkar, vocalists Mr Rajan & Sajan Misra, artists Mr Syed Haider Raza & Mr Tyeb Mehta and former Supreme Court judge Mr KT Thomas.

In all, 121 Padma awards were announced, including 10 Padma Vibhushan, 32 Padma Bhushan and 79 Padma Shri awards. No one was named for the coveted Bharat Ratna award, the country's highest civilian honour.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltds bid to buy Romanian tractor manufacturer Tractorul Brasov SA has collapsed after the Romanian government rejected debt guarantees that Mahindra & Mahindra sought.

Mr Anand Mahindra VC of Mahindra & Mahindra in an interview in Davos in Switzerland said Romanian government could not get around some of the guarantees that we wanted and that was a deal breaker.

Mr Anand Mahindra added that We will keep looking. If any opportunities arise in China, we are very interested in expanding our presence in China. We believe it will eventually be a bigger market for tractors than India.

Mahindra was seeking to buy Tractorul as it aims to surpass Fiat SpAs CNH Global NV, Deere & Co and Agco Corp to become the world's largest tractor maker. It acquired a number of tractor companies and auto parts companies overseas last year and would make more acquisitions outside India this year including in China.

Indian Railways loaded 527.95 million tonnes of freight goods during April to December 2006 up by 7.5% YoY as against 491.09 million tonnes loaded in the same period last year. Indian Railways freight earnings also went up by 15.4 % during the period touching about INR 30,091.3 crore as compared to INR 26,074.91 crore last year.

Indian railways Integral Coach Factory produced 886 coaches during the period April to December 2006 exceeding the target by 22 coaches. The rail wheel factory produced 99,453 wheels and 41,806 axles during April December 2006 as compared to the target of 97,047 wheels and 39,736 axles. Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Diesel Locomotive Works and Rail Coach Factory produced 110 electric locos, 137 locos and 958 coaches respectively equaling the target.

National Hydroelectric Power Corporation has short listed 5 merchant banks, including BI Capital Markets, ICICI Securities, HSBC Securities, Kotak Securities & Enam for its initial public offering and will select 2 bankers in the next few weeks. NHPC got the cabinet nod for capital restructuring in the first week of December 2006 and IPO is likely to be floated in first quarter of 2008.

Mr RS Meena ED of NHPC said The issue is likely to come by April to June end. The merchant banker will be appointed in the next few weeks. Everything will be finalized soon.

Mr Meena informed that NHPC is likely to offer 10% to 15% of its paid up equity through the IPO to raise between INR 1,000 crore and INR 1,500 crore for meeting its 11th Plan target, under which it will add 5,712 MW in the next five years.

NHPC currently has an installed capacity of 3,755MW.

The Global Environment Facility has announced a grant of USD 45.4 million to part finance a project for upgrading existing coal fired power plants and rehabilitating old ones to increase their output and efficiency in India. India has already implemented 20 odd projects with USD 118 million of GEF grants.

Mr Monique Barbut chairman and CEO of GEF said that This is the first such project that GEF is attempting anywhere in the world. This would help develop a clean energy framework that will enable India and other countries to obtain the energy that their development demands while emitting fewer greenhouse gases.

Out of 65,000 MW of electricity generated by coal fired plants in India, nearly half of them need rehabilitation. This grant will enable finance upgrading of selected generation units and set in place a process that will see that the remainder of the older, coal fired plants are also rehabilitated to improve the energy efficiency parameters. Maharashtra and West Bengal have already agreed to start participate in the project and the other plants would be identified in a span of the next two years.

Apart from USD 45.4 million India has received an allocation of USD World Bank and the Indian government will provide additional funding of USD 299.7 million for the project and to take the total to USD 345 million for the project. India has received an allocation of USD 29.6 million under biodiversity and USD 74.9 million under climate change for the next four years.

Power Finance Corporation Ltd has invited NTPC Ltd to join its proposed capital venture called India Power Fund, which will invest in the equity of the green field power projects as seed capital. Mr S Wadhera director projects of PFC said that it had approached NTPC for the India Power Fund but nothing had been finalized yet.

PFC is also approaching leading banks, financial institutions and multilateral agencies to join as contributors. PFC is contributing INR 200 crore to the fund. PFC aims at INR 1,000 crore corpuses for the fund but this may go up if it gets a good response from the institutions. LIC has already agreed to contribute but the quantum is not decided as yet.

International gas major Linde Groups BOC India Limited has announced its Q3 results. The company ended the quarter with gross sales at INR.125.21crore with profit before tax and extraordinary items at INR.5.04 crore and net profit at INR 3.77 crore.

The performance of the quarter was significantly impacted by a 20 day shutdown of its 1290 tonnes per day air separation unit at Jamshedpur for undertaking modifications. While the plant has now commenced operations, the company is monitoring its condition and will take a planned shutdown to rectify the situation in the forthcoming quarters.

While the Process Gas Solution segment results were impacted by the above breakdown, the Industrial and Special Products segment of the Company continued to grow and recorded increased revenues for the quarter. The project engineering division maintained its momentum of growth with a jump of 64 % in gross third party sales as compared to the corresponding period in the previous year after excluding the one off billings to the Bellary Oxygen Company for the 855 tonnes per annum ASU.

Hindustan Shipyard Ltd is all set for a record production during the current financial year and will deliver 7 ships comprising of 4 big ones and 3 smaller ones of combined 112,000 DWT.

Mr Ajit Tewari CMD of HSL while addressing the gathering on the occasion of the Republic Day said that This would be a landmark year in the history of HSL. However he stressed the need for increasing productivity, which is crucial for the revival of the yard.

Britain's takeover regulator set rules Friday to end a bidding war for Corus Group PLC. The Panel on Takeovers and Mergers said India's Tata Steel and Brazil's Companhia Siderurgica Nacional must take part in an auction on Tuesday for Corus. The panel said that the winner would be declared Wednesday or Thursday.

The panel said in a statement "On the basis that neither offeror has declared its offer final, such that either offer may be increased or otherwise revised, a competitive situation continues to exist. Tuesday's auction will provide an orderly framework for the resolution of this competitive situation.

The panel said The auction procedure will consist of a maximum of nine rounds, comprising up to eight rounds in which each offeror is able to lodge a fixed price bid in cash followed by, if the auction procedure has not by then concluded, a final round. In the final round each offeror is able to lodge either a fixed price bid in cash or a cash bid calculated by reference to a formula pursuant to which an offeror can lodge a bid at a specified amount in cash more than the other offeror subject to a specified maximum cash amount.

The panel added that In respect of the first eight rounds of the auction procedure, a subsequent round will only take place if the offeror which has the lower cash bid as at the beginning of that round (or, if at that time the highest cash bids of both offerors are at the same price, either offeror) lodges an increased cash bid in that round. Such a cash bid must be not less than 5 pence higher than the higher cash bid as at the beginning of that round (or, if at that time the highest cash bids of both offerors are at the same price in cash, not less than 5 pence above the price of those bids). However, if an offeror which has the higher cash bid as at the beginning of a round lodges an increased bid in that round, it is not subject to any minimum increment.

The Panel on Takeovers and Mergers is an independent body, established in 1968, whose main functions are to issue and administer the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers and to supervise and regulate takeovers and other matters to which the Code applies. Its central objective is to ensure fair treatment for all shareholders in takeover bids.

The Panel has been designated as the supervisory authority to carry out certain regulatory functions in relation to takeovers under the EC Directive on Takeover Bids (2004/25/EC). Its Directive functions are set out in and under The Takeovers Directive (Interim Implementation) Regulations 2006.

CSN's latest public offer for Corus is USD 11.4 billion and TATA Steel's is USD11 billion. Each of the parties has agreed to the terms of the auction procedure and this announcement.

The deadline for Arcelor Mittal Steel to decide on the fate of Canadian steel maker Dofasco is Sunday, which means that Mittal Steel USAs Weirton plant could be on the verge of its third owner in just a few years.

In pursuant to Mittal Steels bid fro Arcelor, the United States Department of Justice over a concern of monopoly, asked Mittal Steel to sell one of its facilities in Canada or US and extended the deadline until January 28th 2007. The deadline is not expected to be extended again.

Arcelor Mittal has already signed a no binding MoU with Esmark for selling Weirton assets.

The Russian Government has announced plans to auction off the countrys biggest coal deposit Elga in Siberia before the end of the March quarter. Mr Valery Nazarov head of Russia`s Federal Property Management Agency said "Everything, including the valuation, is ready and the auction will take place in the first quarter.

Russia has originally planned to approve the Elga auction in October 2006 but was unable to do so because of a dispute between the federal and regional governments over property rights.

The auction is reported to have attracted the interest of Japanese trading houses Sumitomo Corp and Sojitz Corp.

The Elga deposit is located 800 kilometer south of Yakutsk and has 2.7 billion tonne of proven reserves. As per report The Elga deposit is currently 39.4% owned by the regional government in Sakha and 30% owned by train monopoly OAO Russian Railways.

The Czech finance ministry has cancelled a CZK 2.4 billion fine placed on Mittal Steel Ostrava in December for over pricing coke supplied to rival Vitkovice Steel for production of pig iron. The fine, the largest in Czech history, would have exceeded half of Mittal Steel Ostravas 2006 net profit of CZK 4.644 billion.

The Financial Office in Ostrava will now need to reexamine the case and make a new decision.

Ms Jana Dronska company spokesperson said "The Czech Finance Ministry cancelled both decisions of the Financial Office in Ostrava regarding the CZK 2.4 billion fine against MSO due to alleged price regulations violations. Ms Dronska said that the ministry agreed with Mittal Steel Ostarva's assertion that the Financial Office had falsely identified Mittal Steel Ostarvas position on relevant markets and the usual price for blast furnace coke.

Arcelor Mittal Steel is the majority owner of Mittal Steel Ostrava with a 70.673% stake. The ministry has a 13.881% stake and the Czech bail out agency CKA a 10.96% stake. Mittal Steel Ostrava increased its steel production in 2006 by 13.57% YoY 3.063 million tonnes.

La Repblica reported that Brazilian companies Votorantim Metais and CSN have joined the race to acquire 51.89% of Colombian steelmaker Acers Paz del R. However, a press official from Colombia's industry and trade regulator SIC told BNamericas that neither of the companies has requested permits from the entity to take part in the process.

La Repblica reported that Votorantim executives have been in Colombia since last week for due diligence and have already visited the APR plant at Belencito in Boyacdepartment.

Other companies interested in the APR sale process are European Arcelor Mittal, Brazil's Grupo Gerdau and Argentine Techint.

The 51.89% stake in APR will be sold on an auction in March and the base price has been set at 52 pesos (USD 0.022) per share.

Refined nickel imports by China, may fall by 11% YoY to 80,000 tons in 2007 from an estimated 90,000 tonnes in 2006 as China steps up production from low grade laterite ores bought from the Philippines thus reducing pressure on global stockpiles of the refined metal, which are at their lowest since October helping to cool prices.

Laterite ores, containing nickel and cobalt, are close to the surface and can be produced at relatively low cost by open cast mining. They are processed using blast furnaces into nickel pig iron, containing about 1% to 3% nickel that can be used by stainless steelmakers to produce goods such as sinks, cutlery, pots, pans and appliances. Nickel pig iron is sold on the Chinese market at only 60% of the LME refined nickel price. China's annual capacity to produce nickel pig iron will double to 60,000 tons in 2007. China produced virtually no nickel pig iron in 2005.

China imports laterite ore mostly from the Philippines, which supplied 3.2 million tons from January to November last year, up from 265,000 tonnes in 2005. As per industry experts, China's laterite ore imports may rise to as much as 10 million tonnes in 2007 mainly from Philippines, New Caledonia and Indonesia.

According to Beijing Antaike, Chinese stainless steelmakers such as Shanxi Taigang Stainless Steel Co, Baoshan Iron & Steel Co and others will boost production by 37% in 2007 to about 7 million tons from 5.1 million tonnes in 2006. China's demand for primary nickel, which includes refined and ferronickel, will reach 300,000 tons this year, from last year's 250,000 tons and the increase in nickel pig iron production will fully meet the rise in the demand.

Reuter has reported that Mexico's steel industry could invest as much as USD 4 billion over the next 6 years to increase capacity and reduce imports.

Mr Eduviges Baro head of Mexican steel industry association Canacero said that steel companies are conditioning their investment plans on progress by the government in improving the tax system, labor laws and the energy sector adding that "It's still too early for the companies to say how much they could increase capacity,

According to Canacero, Mexican steel sector dominated by Arcelor Mittal, Techint, ICH and IMSA invested less than USD 3 billion between 1999 and 2006.

Chinas ministry of commerce has unveiled the list of licensed coke exporters for 2007, in accordance with earlier issued notice on coke exporter qualification standards and application procedures.

Below is the list of 60 coke exporters with No 1 to No in English and No 24 to No 60 in Chinese Pinyin by pronunciation. Exporters No 43 to No 60 are engaged in border trade only.

1. Sinochem Corporation
2. Sinosteel Corporation
3. China Minmetals Corporation
4. China Coal & Coke Holding Limited
5. Shanxi Minmetals Industrial and Trading Co. Ltd
6. Shanxi Resources International Corporation
7. China Brazil (Shanxi) Trading Co. Ltd
8. Shanxi Dajin International (Group) Co. Ltd
9. Shanxi Tianli Enterprise Co. Ltd
10. Shanxi Yuanxiang Coal & Coke Co. Ltd
11. China North Industries Corporation
12. Shanxi Antai International Trading Co. Ltd
13. Beijing Zhongya Guli International Trade Co. Ltd
14. Shanxi Great Minmetals Trading Co. Ltd
15. CITIC International Co. Ltd
16. Shanxi Zhongrui Trading Co. Ltd
17. Beijing Minmetals Liguo International Trading Co. Ltd
18. Shanxi Provincial Jinkang Imp & Exp. Group Co. Ltd
19. Shanxi Coking Co. Ltd
20. Shanxi Dajin Tianyuan International Trade Co. Ltd
21. Shanghai Coking & Chemical Corporation
22. Shanxi Richen Import/Export Trading Co. Ltd
23. Shanxi Coking Coal Group International Development Co. Ltd
24. Beijing Shenhua Guoji Jishu Youxian Zeren Gongsi
25. Tianjin Junan Meijiao Huagong Youxian Gongsi
26. Tianjin Zhouli Meijiao Huagong Youxian Zeren Gongsi
27. Shanxi Datuhe Guoji Maoyi Youxian Gongsi
28. Shanghai Baogang Guoji Jingji Maoyi Youxian Gongsi
29. Xianyishi Jinyan Dianlimei Huagong Youxian Gongsi
30. Qingdao Jiaohua Zhiqi Youxian Gongsi
31. Xiaoyishi Jinhun Meijiao Youxian Gongsi
32. Shanxi Xinsheng Jiaohua Jituan Youxian Gongsi
33. Shanxi Zhonglv Jiaohua Youxian Gongsi
34. Shanxi Tongzhou Maoyi Youxian Gongsi
35. Shanxisheng Jiaotan Jituan Guoji Maoyi Youxian Gongsi
36. Shanxi Sanlian Zhengfeng Guoji Maoyi Youxian Gongsi
37. Shaanxi Fubang Jinchukou Shiye Youxian Gongsi
38. Xinjiang Guoji Shiye Gufen Yuxian Gongsi
39. Gansu Ruichi Maoyi Youxian Gongsi
40. Xinjiang Yaxin Guoji Jingmao Gufen Youxian Gongsi
41. Ningxia Hengchangchun Maoyi Youxian Gongsi
42. Yanbian Tianchi Gongmao Youxian Gongsi (border trade)
43. Yanbian Haihua Jinchukou Maoyi Youxian Gongsi
44. Jilinsheng Jingji Maoyi Fazhan Gongsi
45. Alashankou Xinke Youxian Zeren Gongsi
46. Xinjiang Guoji Shiye Gufen Youxian Gongsi
47. Xinjiang Tacheng Sanbao Minmao Shiye Jinchukou Gongsi
48. Hekou hongdian Gongmao Youxian Gongsi
49. Jinghong Hengxin Duiwai Maoyi Youxian Zeren Gongsi
50. Hekou Kungang Jinchukou Youxian Zeren Gongsi
51. Dandongchi Jinchukou Youxian Zeren Gongsi
52. Dandong Zhongwei Gongmao Youxian Gongsi
53. Dandong Hongxiang Shiye Fazhan Youxian Gongsi
54. Guangxi Yueqiang Jinkouchu Youxian Gongsi
55. Guangxi Longzhouxian Bianjing Maoyi Gongsi
56. Guangxi Naboxian Bianjing Maoyi Zonggongsi
57. Alashankou Xintian Guoji Jingmao Youxian Zeren Gongsi
58. Suifenhe Yuanzheng Jingmao Youxian Gongsi
59. Tongjiangshi Wantong Jingmao Youxian Zeren Gongsi
60. Xinjiang Dahuangshan Hongji Jiaohua Youxian Gongsi
(Sourced from MySteel.net)

Jinan Steel's 11th 5 year plan, which was recently approved by National Development & Reforms Commission, will force out eleven 350 cubic meter blast furnaces, six 40 tonne or below converters and an urban located mill by 2010 thus reducing 3.25 million tonne iron making capacity, 8 million tonnes of crude steel capacity and 1.8 million tonnes of rolling capacity per year on average during the 11th 5 year plan period.

However, new projects in this period will include three 1750 cubic meter blast furnaces, three 120 tonnes converters, a 1700mm HRC production line and a 1950mm CRC line.

(Sourced from MySteel.net)

USs Railroad operator Norfolk Southern Corp announced that it earned USD 1.5 billion n 2006 up by 16% YoY as compared to USD 1.3 billion in 2005 which also included a benefit of USD 96 million. Its railway operating revenue for 2006 increased by 10% YoY to USD 9.4 billion railway operating expenses increased by 7% in 2006 to USD 6.9 billion.

For 2006, coal revenue grew 10% to USD 2.3 billion and intermodal revenue rose by 8% to USD 2 billion on higher fuel surcharges and increased traffic volume.

Mr Wick Moorman CEO in a telephone interview said Norfolk Southern is facing a softer economy in some of its important markets, especially automotive and metals, but the company had a great 2006 punctuated by a strong 4th quarter.

China's customs revenue reached a record CNY 610 billion in 2006 up by 15.65% YoY.

As per report customs revenue increased mainly because the country's imports rose by 20% YoY and the increase in import prices of staple goods such as oil and iron ore also contributed to the growth in customs revenue while foreign trade volume rose 24 % to USD 1.76 trillion USD.

Ms Wu Yi Chinese vice premier expressed appreciation of the work done by customs officials in contributing to the steady growth in national tax revenue she urged customs authorities to continue improving risk management mechanisms and to strengthen internal discipline.

United Metallurgical Companys Almetyevsk Pipe Plant produced 123,616 tonnes of pipes in 2006 up by 28.6% YoY as compared to 2005. It produced 43,347 tonnes of pipes with external insulation. Shipment of pipes of various grades amounted to 157.185 tonnes.

The Almetyevsk Pipe Plant specializes in producing steel ERW pipes of small and medium diameters.

OMK is one of the Russias largest producers of pipes, railway wheels and other metal products for power, transport and industrial companies. It comprises of enterprises including the Almetyevsk Pipe Plant and Vyksa Steel Works, the metallurgic division comprises the Chusovoy Steel Works, the Shchelkovo Steel Works and Gubakha Coke. In 2005, OMK provided 17% of Russian pipe consumption, above 60% of Russian consumption of railway wheels and more than 70% of auto spring consumption.

China Iron & Steel Association, citing a company spokesperson as said that Laiwu Steel Group is retiring 560,000 tons of annual coking capacity at 2 of its facilities to promote more efficient alternatives as well as to meet environmental regulations,

CISA cited the steelmaker as saying that the 2 cokeries will be closed as part of our plan to shut down obsolete, highly polluting and inefficient facilities.

Following the phasing out of the 2 plants, Laiwu will be left with around 7 million tonnes of annual capacity for coke.

BHP Billiton Ltd's Kwinana nickel refinery scheduled maintenance shutdown for 3 weeks during the March quarter forms part of a 3 yearly outage for machinery inspections.

BHP said "The shutdown was announced following an analyst trip to Kwinana in December and is scheduled so that the refinery will have prepared stockpiles that should leave overall yearly output unaffected.

Kwinana has an annual capacity of 65,000 tonnes of nickel and 4,500 tonnes of copper sulphide.

According to an announcement, Ms Noluthando Dorian Orleyn has been appointed as a non executive director of Mittal Steel South Africa with effect from 1st February 2007.