You're reading: Metallurgical plant in Donetsk downshifts in absence of raw materials

The Donetsk Metallurgical Plant (DMZ) has switched both of its blast furnaces to a lower gear in the absence of iron ore pellets at one and due to a shell-damaged gas pipeline at the other.

“Blast Furnace No.1 was switched to lower gear on July 30 in the absence of raw materials and Blast Furnace No.2 on Aug. 15 after the high-pressure gas pipeline was damaged by shells,” the Donetskstal iron and steel group told Interfax on Aug. 19.

It said that part of its staff is busy maintaining the blast furnaces in an operational condition and in preparation for re-launching them. Those members of personnel not on active duty are receiving two thirds of their wages.

The gas pipeline is expected to be repaired and Blast Furnace No.2 is expected to be re-ignited on Aug. 20.

The DMZ’s two blast furnaces had been producing 3,600 tonnes of pig iron on a daily basis before July 29.

DMZ is integrated within Donetskstal Group, which also includes Donetskstal Metallurgical Plant, Yasynivsky coking plant, Makiyivka coking plant and the Pokrovske Mine Administration (formerly Chervonoarmiyska-Zakhidna mine No.1).