According to preliminary calculations, ArcelorMittal Temirtau, the Kazakhstan-based subsidiary of steel giant ArcelorMittal, has lost about 40,000 mt of steel production this month, following the gas pipeline accident which occurred in early December, Kazakhstan's national information agency Kazinform has reported, citing the plant's chief executive Frank Pannier.
"We are still counting the damage. We lost about 40,000 mt of production," Mr. Pannier said, noting that "the worst irretrievable loss is that the accident caused human casualties."
According to company specialists, the losses resulting from the accident, which make up one sixth of the plant's monthly production volume, have been minimized, as the company warehouses had more than 40,000 mt of slab in stock.
In order to ensure stability, ArcelorMittal Temirtau has developed a work plan for up to nine months.
As SteelOrbis previously reported, as a result of the accident on December 2 this year, ArcelorMittal Temirtau temporarily switched three blast furnaces to slow mode and also halted convectors, steel rolling shops, and other equipment.