ArcelorMittal Shuts Down Coke Production at Gijón Facility

ArcelorMittal, a leading global steel producer, has halted coke production at its steel plant in Gijón, Spain, following an explosion, as reported by La Vozde Asturias. The incident, which occurred on September 17, involved coke oven battery No. 1 in the plant's coke-chemical division. Alberto Carrero, Director of Sustainability and Communications at ArcelorMittal Spain, explained that the explosion happened at around 14:00 due to an excess of coke oven gas. Three workers in the transit area were injured as a result of the blast. After the fire incident, the plant's two coke oven batteries were quickly shut down, while local firefighters rushed to put out the fire.

Despite the severity of the incident, ArcelorMittal officials are confident that the explosion will not significantly impact overall coke production at the plant. Carrero assured that while there may be some delays or temporary halts in operations that rely on coke oven gas, such disruptions are expected to be manageable. He emphasized that the plant’s metallurgical production should remain unaffected by the incident.

Carrero also highlighted the efficiency of the Gijón plant's coke oven batteries, describing them as the most advanced among ArcelorMittal’s global assets. These units have undergone a comprehensive overhaul in recent years and have operated without any prior safety incidents, making this explosion an unexpected and isolated event. The plant's coke and chemical products are primarily used to supply ArcelorMittal’s steelmaking facilities in Gijón and Avilés, both located in the northern Asturias region of Spain.

The Gijón plant specializes in producing a variety of steel products, including flat products such as heavy plates, as well as long products like rails and wire rod. Meanwhile, the Avilés facility focuses on manufacturing flat products, particularly galvanized steel and coiled tin. Both plants play a crucial role in ArcelorMittal’s European operations, and the temporary suspension of coke production is expected to have only a limited effect on their overall productivity.

ArcelorMittal Asturias employs approximately 5,500 people across its Gijón and Avilés facilities, which are linked by a railway system. It is the only integrated steel plant in Spain, meaning it produces steel directly from iron ore, with an annual production capacity nearing five million tonnes of steel.

The explosion at the Gijón plant underscores the importance of safety measures in heavy industrial operations. However, the swift response by the company to address the situation, as well as its assurances regarding the continued functionality of the plant, reflect ArcelorMittal's commitment to maintaining production levels despite unforeseen challenges. The company will likely continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent any further disruptions and to ensure the safety of its workers moving forward.