Arcelor Mittal to Shut Down Smelting Furnaces in Europe

Oct. 24, 2008

Union says furnace in Belgium will be shut down with others to follow

Smelting furnaces in a number of European countries run by steel giant Arcelor Mittal are to be shut down in coming weeks, according to Belgian trade unions.

Arcelor Mittal management in Belgium have given notice that smelting furnace number six in Seraing, eastern Belgium, will be shut down "in two weeks" until at least mid-February, CSC Metal union official Jordan Atanasov said on Oct. 23.

Other furnaces in Dunkirk, France and Bremen and Eko Stahl, Germany, are also due to be shut down, unions said.

Arcelor Mittal Belgium could not be immediately reached on Oct. 24 for confirmation.

The estimated 120 people working in Seraing will be without work and forced to take leave, said the unions.

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