Algoma Steel will delay its 35-day maintenance outage for No. 7 Blast Furnace, originally scheduled for mid-2005, until 2006 or later. The decision is based on preliminary results from an ongoing review of the blast furnace’s condition.

The review, which is being supported by international engineering firms, is expected to be fully complete by early November.

Algoma Steel Inc. is an integrated steel producer based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Revenues are derived primarily from the manufacture and sale of rolled steel products including hot and cold rolled sheet and plate.