South Africa: BF breakdown at ArcelorMittal mill to disrupt operations for three weeks

ArcelorMittal South Africa, the biggest steel-maker on the continent producing close to 4.4 mn t of finished steel per year, has declared force majeure after breakdown of a blast furnace at its Newcastle Works. As a result, operations are likely to remain suspended for three weeks for repairs. The Newcastle mill produces 1.9 mn t of long steel per annum.