"We are pleased with the extremely hard work of our employees and contractors on this once-in-a-generation project that we have undertaken in the middle of the global pandemic to create a best-in-class blast furnace at our Lake Erie Works facility," said Stelco executive chairman Alan Kestenbaum. 

The company started work on the reline this summer and expects that the furnace will begin producing hot metal in early October. Stelco said the project is expected to boost production by 300,000 tons annually and reduce costs by CA$30/net ton. 

“The blast furnace upgrade and reline project is the first one in the history of Lake Erie Works and will enable Stelco to efficiently operate its technologically advanced blast furnace for the next three to four decades,” the company said.