Ukrainian mining and steel producing group Metinvest has announced that in 2013 its crude steel production decreased by one percent to 12.391 million mt compared to 12.459 million mt in 2012. In addition, in 2013 Metinvest also produced 36.926 million mt of iron ore concentrate, up two percent year on year, mainly due to comprehensive operational improvements. In 2013, the raw coking coal production of Metinvest decreased by two percent year on year to 11.393 million mt.
In the fourth quarter last year, Metinvest's output of hot metal fell by four percent quarter on quarter, mainly due to production at Azovstal declining by 107,000 mt because of a major overhaul at its blast furnace No. 2 in December. In the given quarter, the group's output of crude steel decreased by eight percent quarter on quarter, amid lower production at all of its steelmaking enterprises.