ArcelorMittal confirms Ukraine stoppage

Luxembourg-based steel producer ArcelorMittal has confirmed it has “taken the decision to idle its steelmaking operations in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine.” It had been previously reported that most metals production in that nation had been scaled back or come to a halt after Russia’s armed forces invaded the nation.

ArcelorMittal says the decision to idle the Kryvyi Rih mill was taken “in order to ensure the safety and security of our people and assets.”

The steel producer continues, “The company has been evaluating the situation on a daily basis and production had previously been reduced with the plant operating at a technical minimum (approximately one-third of its normal production levels).”

The process to idle all blast furnaces in Kryvyi Rih started in March, says ArcelorMittal, with the process likely to take between seven and 10 days.

“ArcelorMittal is deeply concerned about the situation in Ukraine and the threat to our employees and the entire Ukrainian population,” the firm says in its announcement.