The ban on integrated steel production at Nova Željezara Zenica has been announced multiple times. According to a notice from the company’s Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Department, the ban is scheduled to begin Wednesday at 7 a.m., as stated in the announcement signed by Amela Hodžić, Environmental Manager.
According to the plan, operations at the Sinter Plant will be suspended on Wednesday, followed by the shutdown of the Blast Furnace starting at 3 p.m. The last ladle of molten metal will be delivered to the Steel Plant on Thursday morning, April 23.
The Steel Plant will continue operating until the production of steel and billets is completed. This is expected to last until midnight on the same day, after which this part of integrated production will be suspended.
The shutdown of integrated production in Zenica, in addition to affecting company workers, will deal a significant blow to the performance of the entity railways and other suppliers.
Management of Nova Željezara Zenica has been trying for the past several months to warn the authorities and to secure the adoption of a decision to protect domestic steel production, which was not adopted by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Meetings are currently ongoing at the company. After they conclude, a statement from the management, led by CEO Ahmed Hamzić, is expected, as confirmed to FENA by spokesperson Alena Kahrimanović.
