Russian steel producer Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) has stated it is carrying out technical upgrades to its blast furnace No. 8. Following the expected completion during the winter period, the blast furnace will be ready to serve the seasonal growth of demand in spring.
The technical upgrades to the blast furnace started in early December last year and are scheduled to be completed by March 15, 2015. It is expected that as early as February the blast heaters will start warming up as the first stage of preparation for launch.
The blast furnace No. 8 was commissioned on January 16, 1954. It has an effective volume of 1,370 cubic meters with an output capacity of 3,200 mt of cast iron per day. The last major upgrades to the blast furnace were carried out in 1987.