Moldavian Metallurgical Plant (MMZ) has stated that the recommissioning of its electric arc furnace (EAF) was delayed by three days, as, due to the Russian-Ukrainian gas dispute, MMZ's power supplier Moldova GRES reduced its electricity supplies. Even though gas deliveries to the plant were not cut completely, MMZ was forced to work in conditions of reduced gas consumption.
Accordingly, MMZ restarted operations at its EAF on January 15, 2009. Currently the plant's steelmaking facilities are working on a regime of maximum power load in the morning and afternoon, while in the middle of the day it operates only its rolling mill shop.
However, MMZ says that in 2009 it will continue to work according to plan, and is filling all received orders, regardless of the crisis and gas dispute.
During the first 19 days of 2009, MMZ produced 4,878 mt of crude steel and 22,202 mt of rolled steel products. On January 19, MMZ's deliveries amounted to 22,814 mt of steel products.