Evraz Q1 crude steel output rises

First quarter consolidated crude steel output at Evraz rose by 3.2% quarter on quarter, mainly due to completion of capital repairs at its NTMK plant, the company said on Thursday.

The said the coronavirus pandemic would “not significantly affect” the production of pig iron and steel at its Russian operations, but it could possibly affect rolling mills utilisation after an expected decrease in demand on the domestic market.

Total steel product sales fell by 10.4% quarter on quarter while sales of semi-finished products dropped by 15.3% due to higher than usual sales volumes from Russia in the previous three months on the back of good export market conditions, Evraz said.

Total raw coking coal production decreased by 4.8%, driven by weaker demand for coal on global markets as well as lower production at the Yuzhkuzbassugol mines after a longwall move at the Uskovskaya mine.

Production at Evraz's Mezhegeyugol operation had been suspended until favourable market conditions are restored.

External sales volumes of coking coal products surged by 30.4% as the firm successfully completed measures to maximise product shipments as well as higher sales volumes to China.

External sales of iron ore products jumped by 30.0% as most of the fourth quarter sales volumes were delivered in the current period due to logistical limitations on shipments to China, Evraz said.

Vanadium product sales fell by 9.9% mainly due to weaker demand from the European car industry.