Jul 11 2005
Dofasco today announced the successful start-up of its No. 2 Blast Furnace, which was completely rebuilt over the last year to incorporate the world’s most advanced ironmaking technology.
Used to reduce iron ore pellets into molten iron for further processing in the company’s steelmaking facilities, the rebuilt blast furnace features several advancements over earlier designs that make it one of the safest and most efficient furnaces in North America.
Innovations included in the upgrade are automation of the material charging process, complete fume capture for environmental protection and a covered casthouse floor that allows greater furnace access and improved employee safety.
Dofasco chose to rebuild its No. 2 Blast Furnace, which was decommissioned in 1994 following the closure of an older, obsolete steelmaking operation, instead of shutting down and relining the company’s No. 3 Blast Furnace. The unprecedented strategy allowed iron production to continue uninterrupted while No. 2 Furnace was under construction, and saved Dofasco from the usual production and customer service setbacks associated with blast furnace relines. Dofasco credits employees with the success, largely because of their commitment to maintaining the No. 3 Furnace at full production well beyond its planned campaign life.
Dofasco President and Chief Executive Officer Don Pether said the rebuild of the No. 2 Blast Furnace is part of an investment in the company’s Hamilton operations that totals more than $1 billion, and includes a five-year, $700 million project to upgrade facilities throughout the company’s Finishing Division.
“These investments demonstrate our commitment to customers, shareholders, employees and the community,” said Pether.
More than half of Dofasco’s current capital investment is going directly into the local economy in the form of wages, equipment and supplies from local contractors and suppliers. At its peak the blast furnace rebuild employed more than 650 local contractors and has taken more than 1.1 million labour hours to complete.
The No. 2 Blast Furnace rebuild is the most recent upgrade the company has made to its primary production facilities. “Our Hamilton operations are among the most efficient and technologically advanced of any steel plant in North America,” said Pether.