Mechel boosts output

Mechel boosts output

Russia's fifth largest steelmaker, Mechel Steel Group, upped its output of steel, pig iron and coal last year as prices for the commodities rose sharply. The company's disclosed figures show a 17% rise in crude steel output (6.2 million tons), a 21% rise in rolled steel output (4.9 million tons), and a 23% rise in pig iron output (3.9 million tons). Coking coal production rose 8.3% to 9.3 million tons. By 2007, the company plans to boost its production of steel 30% (8.2 million tons) and coke 9% (16.6 million tons).