The Russian steelmaker Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) plans to operate in February at 70 percent of its full production capacity, while in March the company expects a decrease in operations to 60 percent of full capacity, due to irregular receipt of orders.
The total steel output for the first quarter is scheduled to amount to 1.83 million mt, with the average monthly output at the level of 600,000-700,000 mt of steel products. In 2009, MMK expects its steel product output to be between seven and nine million mt.