January/February News in Briefs (1)
Posco Russian agreement
Russian metal and mining company Mechel has signed an Agreement
of Intent with South Korean steelmaker Posco.
The two companies plan to establish a strategic partnership with each other and collaborate on the long-term promotion of products made by both Mechel and Posco.
They will also examine the possibility of implementing steel and mining projects in Russia, South Korea and elsewhere.
Smelting plant sites identified
Two Thai preliminary sites for steel smelting plants have been identified after a long delay due to the political turmoil, the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand said.
They are Songkhla's Ranot district and Chanthaburi's Laem Sing district, according to a feasibility study on areas for construction.
Each location covers 160k m2, mostly abandoned shrimp farms and each site will produce 5Mt/y of steel.
Ontario steel loan
The state government in Ontario, Canada has offered a $9M loan to support Max Aichler Inc’s plan to reopen a steel mill in the province.
The business is installing new machinery and equipment that will improve manufacturing of new products in Canada including a finishing mill.
The site in Hamilton will create 300 jobs.
Max Aicher (North America) Inc purchased the Bar Mill and Bloom Mill, buildings, machinery, equipment and related assets in Hamilton from US Steel Canada on November 12 last year.
The steel produced will be used mainly by global auto manufacturers operating in North America. It will also be used for high strength hot-rolled threadbar used by the construction and mining industries.
Cold roll order
Jiuquan Iron and Steel, China has ordered four 20Hi reversing cold rolling mills from Fives DMS, France.
Three of the mills are similar and are of the ZR22BB-54 type. One mill is larger and of the ZR21BB-64 type.
The four mills cover a thickness range of 0.2 to 8mm for a width range of 750mm to 1600mm. Total production capacity predicted is 500kt/y. The first cold rolled coil is due to be produced in 2011.