Mittal Steel restores full operations at Indiana steel plant

Mittal Steel USA has fully restored its steelmaking operations at the No. 3 basic oxygen shop at its Indiana Harbor plant in East Chicago, Ind. Fully automated operation of both furnace vessels was achieved on May 28, one month after the fire that severely damaged this facility.

The No. 3 steel production shop was idled April 28 when a ladle descended unexpectedly and dumped more than 200 tons of molten iron to the shop floor. The company reported that no one was seriously hurt by the incident.

Initial estimates were that the shop would lose 300,000 tons of steelmaking, but rapid recovery and the coordination of other operations throughout the company trimmed the total loss to less than 200,000 tons. The company expects the damage and losses associated with business disruption to be covered by insurance. A thorough investigation of the fire, by management and the United Steelworkers, continues.