Mechel, one of the leading Russian mining and steelmaking companies, has announced that smelting operations at its Romanian plant Ductil Steel Otelu Rosu have been temporarily halted as of March 10 due to a malfunction at the plant's electric arc furnace No. 2.
According to Mechel's statement, slag and steel went through the inner protective coating of the furnace, causing damage to the furnace and auxiliary equipment.
Assessment works are currently in progress. The company has not yet revealed when operations will resume.