KYIV, May 24 – ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih (Dnipropetrovsk region) intends to achieve the full capacity utilization for the extraction and processing of iron ore, as well as increase steel production from 30% at present time to 50% in the near future, CEO Mauro Longobardo has said in an interview with Forbs.ua.

According to him, 2021 was the best year for the company since 2008, but almost all the earnings have been spent.

As for production facilities, they are operating. We are increasing production. For a full recovery of production, it is important to eliminate the threat to operating personnel as early as June. As for steel products, one blast furnace out of four is in operation. We have resolved export issues regarding logistics. Difficulties remain with the supply of raw materials. As soon as we can provide it in sufficient quantities, we will fully launch production," the CEO said.

He added the plans are for mining to work at 100% and for steel production at 50%. The surplus of iron ore concentrate will be sold. With the launch of blast furnaces, which are currently mothballed, the volume of concentrate for sale will decrease. In total, it is planned to sell 650,000 tons of products in June, of which 200,000 tons are metal products and 450,000 tons are iron ore concentrate, which is about 70% of the enterprise's capacity.

In a normal situation, the plant can ship 500,000 tons of steel products and up to 250,000 tons of iron ore concentrate monthly. As soon as the situation changes, we will return to our traditional specialization – steel production," he said. (om/ez)