Ukraine: Metinvest keeps 4 mills in hot conservation, iron ore mines run normally

The Ukraine-based mining and metals company, the Metinvest Group's four mills in Mariupol and Zaporizhzhia continue to be maintained in hot conservation mode. This means the furnaces are being kept at a lower temperature so that when they need to restart these furnaces, reigniting will not be necessary.

The group's iron ore mining facilities are operating as normal, the company announced on social media.

Earlier, with the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, the company, a global, vertically integrated mining and metals company, suspended some operations at its iron and steel works at Ilyrich and Azovstal.

Ilyrich's crisis response centre made the decision for the safety of the employees and to protect the facilities. Both the Ukrainian plants used up the available hot metal and crude steel on 24 Feb'22 after which all the operations were put on hold.

Reports convey that steel plants based out of Mariupol contribute almost 40% of Ukraine's 21.4 million tonnes (mnt) of steel output and hence it is imperative for the company to safeguard its resources and employees. Metinvest, with the help of the Office of the President of Ukraine sent 60 tonnes of humanitarian aid to cities.

In the latest move, the company has ensured emergency supplies pertaining to medicine and engineering and is facilitating shelters for not only its employees but their families too. The group is focused on assisting displaced people and is taking initiatives to fortify cities and towns.