Algoma Steel Group Inc. has tonight announced that steel-making has returned to normal after repairs on its No. 7 blast furnace were completed and steel production resumed on Sunday.
"Algoma has strengthened its operations while advancing essential repair work required after a structure supporting utilities piping at Algoma’s coke-making plant collapsed on Jan. 20, 2024," the company said in a news release.
"Algoma remains focused on completing necessary utilities corridor repairs safely and efficiently while increasing coke-making capacity and rebuilding inventory levels," the release stated.
The company is looking into supplementing its coke inventory with market purchases to ensure it has enough to continue producing iron.
Separately, Algoma revealed in a list of recent environmental incidents posted on its website that coke oven gases have been discharged directly into the atmosphere every day starting Jan. 21 to Feb. 12, the most recent date for which incidents were reported.
Blast furnace operations were temporarily suspended after the coke-making collapse and the furnace was taken offline after further issues arose.
Last week, Algoma said that it could cost as much as $30 million to clean up the aftermath left by January's collapse of utility piping at its coke ovens.
The work is expected to be completed in April.
