Synopsis:
ArcelorMittal Krivoi Rog, Ukraine's steel giant, faced a formidable 2023 with a 19.2% dip in steel roll output. Crude steel, pig iron, and coke production also witnessed declines. Operating at reduced capacity due to soaring electricity, transportation, and coal prices, AMKR navigated disruptions, holding its ground. Despite setbacks, Mauro Longobardo, AMKR's general director, outlines plans for 2024, emphasizing increased production and strategic investments.
Article:
In the intricate dance of metal and fire at ArcelorMittal Krivoi Rog (AMKR), 2023 unfolds as a challenging chapter. Ukrainian media reports a 19.2% reduction in steel roll output to 900,000 metric tons—a somber rhythm in the industrial ballet. The broader orchestra witnesses an 18.5% decline in crude steel, a 7.2% dip in pig iron, and a 20.3% slump in coke production. Amidst this metallic symphony, a glimmer of resilience emerges with a 0.4% rise in iron ore concentrate production, reaching 4.6 million metric tons.
AMKR's metallurgical division, operating at 25-30% capacity, and mining at 40%, grapples with the strains of rising electricity, transportation, and coal prices. Mauro Longobardo, the general director, points to an exponential surge in costs and major disruptions in Q1 and Q2, including electricity supply restrictions and a halt in steel production due to water supply limitations.
Longobardo articulates a steadfast resolve to weather these challenges. The focus for 2024 is on increasing production while minimizing losses. A strategic decision to halt large-scale investment projects, such as the pelletizing plant, aims to navigate these testing times. The spotlight shifts to the construction of the III Map tailings dump, a key project in the strategic capital investment plan.
Despite the hurdles, Longobardo underscores AMKR's commitment to societal responsibilities. The closure of the oldest sintering plant in 2023 and two coke batteries in 2022 aligns with environmental commitments, offering a silver lining amid the industrial clouds.
Conclusion:
In the forge of adversity, ArcelorMittal Krivoi Rog emerges as a testament to resilience. Despite the dips in steel production and the intricate challenges faced, the steel giant stands firm. Mauro Longobardo's strategic vision for 2024, emphasizing increased production and prudent investment, echoes a commitment to not only weather the storm but to shape a future where steel resounds with renewed vigor. As the echoes of this metallurgical ballet resonate, AMKR remains a beacon in Ukraine's industrial landscape.
Source：STEELGURU
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