Mechel, one of the leading Russian mining and steel groups, has announced that its crude steel output in the first quarter of 2012 increased by four percent to 1.65 million mt compared to the same period of the previous year.
In the given quarter, Mechel increased its pig iron output by one percent year on year to 1.02 million mt, while its coal production improved by seven percent despite a temporary halting of mining at Southern Kuzbass Coal Company OAO's New-Olzherassk and Sibirginsk mines. In the given period, the company's coke sales saw a one percent decrease year on year.
According to Mechel's statement, in the same quarter, its flat steel product sales increased by 14 percent year on year, while its long steel product sales registered 12 percent growth compared to the first quarter of 2011.