The beginning of the construction of KurumStalRostov, the Russia-based project of the Turkish steel producer Kurum Holding, has been put on hold as the company and the Rostov region administration consult regarding a location in the region for the new long steel mill.
Although Kurum's first choice for location was Rostov region's Volgodonsk city, the company is now ready to consider other possible sites in the region following the social tensions which arose in Volgodonsk in connection to the Turkish steel producer's proposal.
Public hearings which were held back in July for the approval of Kurum's project were assessed by 406 representatives of Volgodonsk's population, the majority of which voted against the establishment of the steel mill due to environment, social and economic concerns. However, regardless of the population's concerns, the final decision is in the hands of the region's administration, which is delaying its decision on the issue.
KurumStalRostov's project included the construction of a 1.5 million metric ton capacity plant for the production of billets, rebar and wire rods in southern Russia to satisfy the needs of the growing local market.