26 Jan 2023 11:30

ArcelorMittal Krivoi Rog shutting one of four sinter plants due to drop in output

MOSCOW. Jan 26 (Interfax) - ArcelorMittal Krivoi Rog (AMKR), Ukraine's largest mining and metallurgical enterprise, is shutting its biggest and oldest sinter plant, which used to supply the No.1 blast furnace with 8,000 tonnes of sinter per day, Ukrainian media reported, quoting a company press release.

AMKR is left with three sinter plants and one ore blending plant.

Only one sinter plant is currently operating, and producing not more than 3,000 tonnes of sinter per day. Another sinter shop prepares burden charge, and the third remains on standby due to an overall drop in production.

The company said the main factors behind the decision to finally shut down the sinter plant were a reduction in production volumes and the commitment to reduce the industrial impact on the region.

Mauro Longobardo, AMKR's general director, said the enterprise did not currently have the opportunity to "actively build a new pelletizing plant, which was planned as an alternative to the sintering plant."

The sinter plant had operated since 1951.

AMKR decommissioned the first stage of a blooming mill as well as the No. 6 double hearth furnace, the last of its open-hearth capacity, in 2020. The Nos. 1 and 2 coking batteries were stopped last autumn.

ArcelorMittal Krivoi Rog is the largest producer of rolled steel in Ukraine. It specializes in the production of long products, in particular rebar and wire rod.