Speaking during the company’s second-quarter earnings call, executive chairman Alan Kestenbaum said the project at the Lake Erie Works got underway on 17 July and is expected to be completed by the end of September.

The project is expected to boost the furnace capacity by 300,000 tons annually and will deliver key technology improvements, making it the only real smart blast furnace in North America, he said. 

“Upon completion of this … project, Stelco will emerge with what we believe will be the most modern and efficient blast furnace in North America. While this project represents a significant commitment of time and capital, it is key to the long-term growth and success of our company.” 

Separately, executives said work on its pig caster has resumed.  

“We are undertaking this project due to what we see as a strong market for iron units and our expectation of additional hot metal capacity through the blast furnace project,” said chief financial officer Paul Scherzer. 

The project is to be completed by the end of the year.