The Brazilian flats producer Usiminas will restart its blast furnace #3, which was idled for a complete revamping in April.
The unit, which has a pig iron production capacity of 3 million mt per year, was operating at a 60 percent capacity rate, in a campaign extended for 24 years.
According to the company, the refurbishment works required investments estimated at $560 million, with restart of production expected to take place this year. But with a complete ramp-up process lasting for many months, the financial benefits of the works won’t be noticed until 2024.
During the third quarter, Usiminas will start the acquisitions of iron ore, coal and other raw materials for the operation of the blast furnace, with expectations of higher productivity, chiefly derived from a reduced consumption of coal per unit of pig iron produced.
The company’ iron ore production is reportedly sufficient to feed part of its own consumption.