ArcelorMittal will assess the feasibility of repairing blast furnace A after the fire caused severe damage. The final decision will hinge on the full extent of the damage and the costs required for restoration at the facility. Cooling work continued this Thursday to allow technicians access, with updates expected in the coming days as evaluations progress.
The repair plan centers on restoring the crucible, a key component of the blast furnace. A perforation in the crucible was confirmed after an initial inspection, underscoring the seriousness of the event and the technical challenges involved in restoring the furnace to service.
Fire in Arcelor’s blast furnace A could jeopardize plant viability until 2025
The incident stemmed from a destabilization in the production process during a routine nozzle replacement, triggering a violent reaction inside the furnace. Explosions and an intense ignition produced very high temperatures and a dense smoke plume. In response, the company is weighing options, once damage levels and restoration costs are confirmed, as explained to the worker representatives yesterday.
Several scenarios are under review. One option is a short term repair if feasible and enough to restart operations for the remaining usable life of the affected furnace. Installation could be completed by 2025, and with an investment exceeding 1,000 million, the Veriña plant is expected to receive a new iron ore direct reduction furnace as part of its decarbonization plan.
The second possibility involves a deeper restoration if economically viable and recommended. This would necessitate a longer shutdown and likely higher installation costs, a factor to consider given the limited time frame before depreciation. A slower recovery could influence the plant’s ability to justify the investment.
The “salamander” operation will be carried out this weekend to minimize damage to the oven.
A third scenario considers a definitive plant halt if rehabilitation proves impractical. In that case, billet or steel slabs could be imported from ArcelorMittal mills abroad to meet regional needs, as discussions have previously touched on. To satisfy the finishing shops in the area, the Avilés and Gijón steelworks rely on pig iron produced by one working blast furnace. The company aims to maximize operations while balancing supply and demand for various rolled products.
Avilés Steelworks will likely rely on one converter due to material shortages and reduced casting, reflecting a pause in operations when the previously damaged furnace was shut down from late September to early February due to weak demand for steel products.
Supply to the Gijón steelworks remains a priority, as it feeds long product lines such as rail and wire rod. The Tabaza steel mill in the Avilés region supports flat products and the heavy plate line at Veriña in Gijón.
The setback arrives amid softened optimism for the steel sector, with expectations of a gradual recovery that had sparked renewed activity about a month and a half ago. The facility is now idled four months later, becoming the first of several plant stoppages in Europe for ArcelorMittal this period.
The impact on one of the two Gijón blast furnaces will shade ArcelorMittal’s commercial posture in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, since the furnace was slated to be operational again in April and remains offline at the Fos Sur Mer site in France. Investigations point to water in the crucible as the source of the boiler explosion. Water contact with molten iron caused the crucible to rupture, with the crucible reaching around 1,500 degrees Celsius. The reaction allowed pig iron to breach the crucible wall and necessitated nozzle replacement, as these nozzles control the flow of hot air into the furnace.
Unions denounce low maintenance and company says they are working on water filtration
Worker sources report a water leak problem in the affected furnace, though its origin remains under investigation. Company management stated that the source of water in the crucible had not yet been determined. Some unions criticized the four months of downtime without consistent repair work, though the company informed the Health and Safety Committee that leaks were known and steps had been taken to address them and to prevent further issues.
The company provided the committee with a report noting abnormal activity on the windshields and the flames after the furnace was halted for nozzle replacement. Safety features activated, including anti-explosion devices. The internal explosion expelled material from the lower part of the furnace rather than the traditional upper outlet, prompting smoke that required an evacuation for affected workers. The pig iron and coke output continued briefly, contributing to the intense smoke plume that was visible across the region. This rapid response helped minimize harm to personnel and surrounding communities.
After the fire was extinguished, cooling and securement work continued alongside efforts to clean exposed structures. The upcoming weekend will feature the salamander operation, a standard shutdown procedure designed to prevent further damage by removing pig iron and slag from the furnace bottom. This keeps critical areas clear and ensures the cooling circuits and stoves remain functional. Union representatives expressed gratitude for the rapid actions of furnace personnel, command chains, prevention services, and company firefighters, noting that professionalism and a decisive safety plan prevented a far worse outcome for workers and the Asturias economy.
Companies and unions touch on extension of employment regulation in the face of work accident this Friday
ArcelorMittal and the unions will meet to discuss extending the current temporary employment regulation plan, which expires soon. The aim is to protect affected workers while considering an extension that aligns with plant needs. The shutdown of blast furnace A will affect most plant workers except those in the coal yard, sinter process, and downstream facilities, reducing overall pig iron production. Negotiations involve UGT, CC OO, and USO to determine ERTE provisions, ensuring income protection with a focus on maintaining 90 percent of gross annual salary plus certain benefits. The ERTE terms are being aligned with conditions previously in force from 2009 to 2021, adapting them to today’s operational realities.