OREANDA-NEWS.  The new Balakovo Long Product Mill, part of the Russian Steel division of OAO Severstal, one of the world’s leading steel and steel-related mining companies, announces that it has initiated hot commissioning in its arc-furnace shop and produced its first steel heat.

A number of specialists were involved in the hot commissioning in the arc-furnace shop, including Siemens VAI specialists who delivered manufacturing equipment to the shop, specialists from an equivalent shop at the Cherepovets Steel Mill, staff from the new long product mini-mill and contracting agencies engaged to assemble the equipment and ensure supply of raw materials to the mill. The Balakovo Mill produced its first fifty units of 150mm x 150mm billets during the commissioning.

Sergei Toropov, CEO of the Severstal Russian Steel division, commented: “Producing our first steel heat is one of the most important stages of commissioning at the Balakovo long product mini-mill. We are now focused on connecting the melting and rolling processes to bring the mill fully on stream.”

Severstal’s Balakovo Long Product Mill investment project is now moving into its production stage. The mill is expected to reach close to its capacity by the end of this year.