The restart process of the high furnace at the Sider El Hadjar Complex in Annaba has commenced after a three-month hiatus, as revealed by the CEO, Karim Boulaioun, on Wednesday.
In a statement to the Algerian News Agency, the official explained that the actual entry into production for the high furnace is expected within the next two weeks. Boulaioun added that restarting this high furnace came after addressing the issue of the complex’s lack of supply of coking coal, essential for operating the high furnace, which could not be imported due to financial constraints.
The spokesperson stated, “Restarting the high furnace is a significant opportunity for the complex and its workers to overcome challenges and achieve the economic efficiency necessary to preserve this symbolic asset for the iron and steel industry in Algeria.”
In this context, a program with production targets exceeding 600,000 tons of marketable iron products for the next year has been outlined. It was highlighted that the fluctuation in the supply of imported coking coal in 2023 caused a noticeable decline in the overall annual production volume of iron and steel products at the Sider El Hadjar Complex, which achieved a production of about 300,000 tons since the beginning of the current year.
To achieve the set production goals for the Sider El Hadjar Complex, the management has developed a plan to modernize and rehabilitate the industrial base, focusing on modernizing industrial equipment with generators and rolling mills, and introducing modern technology for iron and steel production. This aims to eliminate dependence on coking coal, as stated by Mr. Boulaioun.
In the same context, the official mentioned that the invoice for importing coking coal to operate the high furnace at the Sider El Hadjar Complex costs alone $200,000 annually. He added that the complex, within the framework of achieving economic efficiency, seeks to keep pace with the national economic dynamics by introducing new iron products with added value, such as railway products, industrial structures, and other iron and steel products.
The Sider El Hadjar Complex employs more than 5,500 workers and produces flat and long iron materials, seamless pipes, reinforced concrete, and other iron and steel products.
Restarting the high furnace at Sider El Hadjar Complex marks a crucial opportunity for economic efficiency, overcoming challenges, and preserving a symbolic asset for Algeria’s iron and steel industry. Follow the rekindling process and the complex’s strategy to achieve production goals.
[For more updates on Algerian industries, visit dzwatch.net.]
