Russia increases finished steel output

Russia increases finished steel output

Russia's finished steel production through the first three months of 2005 rose 6.3% year on year to 13.8 million metric tons. Steel pipe production dropped off 2.9% to 1.5 million metric tons. On the other hand, iron ore output added 1.3% to hit 23.7 million metric tons. Russia was unable to turn its expanded coal production (up 2% to 75.4 million metric ton) into similar growth in its coke output. Russia's coke production fell 3.6% to 8.1 million metric tons.