Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario-based integrated steel producer Essar Steel Algoma announced Friday that it has initiated the start up process for its No. 7 blast furnace. The furnace will be slowly returned to its normal operating condition Sunday, January 30th through Monday, January 31st.
The company has said minor noise and particle emissions may result as a part of the standard start up procedure, but all efforts will be made to minimize any impact beyond the plant's site.
As SteelOrbis previously reported, the blast furnace had been idled due to extreme weather conditions and a cooling water leak on January 21, 2011.