Novolipetsk reports decline in steel production
Russia's third-largest steel producer, Novolipetsk Iron & Steel Works, reported that it produced 4.09 million metric tons of steel in the first six months of 2005, down 11 percent from the same period of 2004. Cast iron production declined 15 percent to 3.82 million metric tons year-on-year, and finished steel output fell 11 percent to 3.85 million metric tons. Moreover, agglomerate production decreased 10 percent to 6.23 million metric tons. In the first six months of 2005, coke output dropped 12 percent to 192'000 metric tons.