ArcelorMittal SA steel shipments hit by power shortages

Thursday, 31 January 2008 10:43:20 (GMT+3)   |  
       

ArcelorMittal SA, the South African arm of the world's number one steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal, has stated that the mill is suffering from continuing power supply problems and, as a result, will not be able to meet all of its customers' needs as production operations have been greatly affected.

ArcelorMittal SA CEO Rick Reato said that Eskom (Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi) has warned that the imbalance between electricity supply and demand is expected to continue for between two to four weeks. Power supply problems lasting for two weeks would entail a loss of around 300,000 mt in steel supplies.

Mr. Reato added that the company has taken all reasonable measures to minimize the supply interruptions and that it is engaging with Eskom at the highest levels to rectify the problem.