Russian steel mill Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) has recommenced production operations at its repaired blast furnace (BF) No. 1, after the closure of its BF No. 2 for overhaul work. Currently, MMK is operating seven of its eight furnaces at its blast furnace shop.
At the same time, MMK has also recommissioned its coke battery No. 3, which had been shut down for repairs from December last year.
MMK's BF No. 1, commissioned in 1932, was completely rebuilt in the late 90s. As a result of this reconstruction, the blast furnace volume increased to 1,370 m3, while its annual production capacity reached 1.2 million mt, i.e., 3,000 mt of pig iron per day.