ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih CEO Mr Mauro Longobardo told Forbes Ukraine that the company is working on production and export restoration and on solving the raw material supply and logistic issues. He told “ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih is trying to secure 100% of mining operations & 50% of steel production, while the excess iron ore concentrate will be exported until the blast furnaces are restarted. In June, it is planned to export 200,000 tonnes of steel products and 450,000 tonnes of concentrate, which is around 70% of the mill’s capacity. Once the situation in the country is normalized, ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih will return to its usual specialization of semi-finished and finished steel. We are planning our work for the short run. The situation is changing frequently, so it is important to be flexible and dynamic.”Mr Longobardo said “ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih has also had to change its export destinations since the absence of access to Ukraine’s ports prevents ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih from working with most of the traditional customers from Egypt, Turkey, Israel, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The great possibilities are now seen in the EU where import restrictions have been lifted for one year and where logistics are easier due to the existing railway connection, particularly with Poland. International buyers are watching the news and are not sure they will receive their orders on time. Therefore, instead of direct sales we are forced to take our products to safer places, such as Poland. Then they are buying from there.”He added “Another issue is that the cargoes need to be reloaded due to the difference in railroad width with Poland. Aside from the EU, the US and Canada are also considered as potential export markets, the same as the UK.”ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih is now running one blast furnace out of four, being limited in coal supply. Previously, ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih was purchasing 300,000 tonnes of coal monthly and Kazakhstan was one of the main sources, but now the company has to seek alternative sources and to organize railroad-based deliveries. The short-term goal is to accumulate coal volumes sufficient for the restart of blast furnace No 8, which will increase the steel production capabilities from 30% to 50%ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih had to idle its steelmaking operations in Ukraine in early March to ensure the safety and security of our people and assets.
ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih CEO Mr Mauro Longobardo told Forbes Ukraine that the company is working on production and export restoration and on solving the raw material supply and logistic issues. He told “ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih is trying to secure 100% of mining operations & 50% of steel production, while the excess iron ore concentrate will be exported until the blast furnaces are restarted. In June, it is planned to export 200,000 tonnes of steel products and 450,000 tonnes of concentrate, which is around 70% of the mill’s capacity. Once the situation in the country is normalized, ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih will return to its usual specialization of semi-finished and finished steel. We are planning our work for the short run. The situation is changing frequently, so it is important to be flexible and dynamic.”Mr Longobardo said “ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih has also had to change its export destinations since the absence of access to Ukraine’s ports prevents ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih from working with most of the traditional customers from Egypt, Turkey, Israel, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The great possibilities are now seen in the EU where import restrictions have been lifted for one year and where logistics are easier due to the existing railway connection, particularly with Poland. International buyers are watching the news and are not sure they will receive their orders on time. Therefore, instead of direct sales we are forced to take our products to safer places, such as Poland. Then they are buying from there.”He added “Another issue is that the cargoes need to be reloaded due to the difference in railroad width with Poland. Aside from the EU, the US and Canada are also considered as potential export markets, the same as the UK.”ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih is now running one blast furnace out of four, being limited in coal supply. Previously, ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih was purchasing 300,000 tonnes of coal monthly and Kazakhstan was one of the main sources, but now the company has to seek alternative sources and to organize railroad-based deliveries. The short-term goal is to accumulate coal volumes sufficient for the restart of blast furnace No 8, which will increase the steel production capabilities from 30% to 50%ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih had to idle its steelmaking operations in Ukraine in early March to ensure the safety and security of our people and assets.
