Tata Steel achieves 5 MT hot metal production

Kolkata, Mar 22 (UNI) Tata Steel has surpassed the 5 MT milestone in hot metal production on March 20.

This could be achieved due to revamping of 'G' Blast Furnace under 1 MT expansion project and superior performance of the other blast furnaces, according to a Tata Steel spokesperson.

The gain was noteworthy considering the fact that company's largest furnace, the revamped 'G' furnace, was commissioned in April this year and is now producing at an annualized rate of 2.0 MT against the rated capacity of 1.8 MT.

With the increased iron making capacity, the company's dependence on purchased metallics has gone down substantially.

The spokesperson said Tata Steel's journey on next phase of expansion at Jamshedpur has started in July 2005 with the placement of order on M/s Outokumpu and L&T, for setting up a 2 MT sinter plant.

It has also placed order for a new 2.5 mtpa blast furnace on a consortium of Paul Wurth-Italia, Paul Wurth-India and L&T.

The construction activities of the plants are progressing as per schedule.

With the commissioning of these facilities in 2008, Tata Steel will produce more than 7.5 MT of hot metal annually.

This is expected to consolidate the position of Tata Steel in the rapidly expanding steel industry.

UNI TJP PL SKM1620