Global steelmaking and mining giant Evraz Group S.A. has announced that its crude steel output in the first quarter of 2012 increased by five percent quarter on quarter but remained almost stable compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
In its North American division, crude steel production rose by 12 percent in the first quarter of the current year compared to the previous quarter following completion of scheduled maintenance at steelmaking facilities in Pueblo and Regina in October 2011. On the other hand, in the given quarter, the crude steel production of the Russian division increased by six percent quarter on quarter due to the completion of scheduled maintenance at the EVRAZ ZSMK converter shop and has not shown any changes compared to the corresponding quarter of 2011.
While rail production in the Russian division increased by 23 percent quarter on quarter, the North American division reported a six percent quarter-on-quarter decrease due to a four-day shutdown of the rail mill for clearing the finishing docks.
For iron ore, Evraz Group's production in the first quarter was three percent lower, while coking coal production increased by 41 percent, both quarter on quarter.