'<p>On Jan. 6, 2009 Zhongshan Station time, 13 constructors dispatched by Baosteel arrived at the construction site of "China Antarctica Kunlun Station" safely after more than 1 month's laborious trudge on the ice cap of Antarctica. Up to this article, the construction of "Kunlun Station" has started in an all-round way and the main foundation construction has been completed.</p> <p>China decided to build the first science investigation station "Kunlun Station" in Antarctic inland in 2007. The annual average temperature of ice dome A area where the station is located is between -40°C to -60°C with the extreme lowest temperature even below -80°C, and the ultraviolet radiation is extremely strong, so this area is called as "unreachable pole by human beings". So far no station has ever been built here by any country.</p> <p>Baosteel undertakes the task of "Kunlun Station" construction and donates the building material for main body project valued at more than RMB 4.5 million yuan. On Oct. 20, 2008, 13 employees dispatched by Baosteel went on board "Snow Dragon" icebreaker to start the expedition to the Antarctica for the construction of "Kunlun Station". After more than 2 months' voyage, they arrived at Antarctic China investigation base. After some rest they went all out for the spurt to ice dome A.</p> <p>Ice dome A is more than 4000 m in elevation and over 1250 km away from Antarctic "Zhongshan Station". Relying on only 8 snow tractors to haul 40 sleds laden with necessary fuel and supplies as well as a large amount of construction equipment, Baosteel employees tenaciously made their way to ice dome A. During that period, they encountered many unimaginable setbacks like unrepairable breakdown of snow tractors on the ice cap, but they overcame the storm and severe cold and withstood the strong ultraviolet radiation with the courage of challenging the extreme, and finally all arrived at the destination safely. Now they are in good health and the fleet and equipment are running normally.</p> It is estimated that the main body construction of "Kunlun Station" will be completed within one month. Baosteel's constructors vow to do Baosteel people's bit to China's science investigation cause in polar region by getting over all difficulties and accomplishing the construction task excellently with the spirit of going all out pertinaciously.'

'<p align="justify">Tata Steel completed the third quarter of FY09 with an increase in hot metal &amp; crude Steel production. The hot metal production at 1.70 million tonnes and crude steel production at 1.50 million tonnes was higher by 23% and 17% respectively as compared to volumes in the same quarter last year. However, the saleable steel production during the quarter almost remained at the same level (1.24 million tonnes) as that of last year inspite of planned major shutdown of Hot Strip Mill. </p> <p align="justify"> The third quarter sales at 1.07 million tonnes was lower by about 14% as compared to corresponding quarter last year due to current economic slowdown.&nbsp; However, 27 % growth has been registered in the Long Product sales during the third quarter at 0.48 million tonnes.</p> <p align="justify">Tata Steel commissioned 3rd Billet Caster at Steel Melting Shop#1 and completed upgradation of Roughing Mill of Hot Strip Mill as a part of 1.8 mtpa expansion of the existing units. Tata Steel is also continuing with its growth plan to reach the Jamshedpur Works capacity of 10 mtpa by 2010.&nbsp; </p> <p align="justify">Q3 FY09 was a momentous period for Tata Steel when it won the coveted Deming Application Prize in recognition of its efforts towards practicing the TQM philosophy in its operation at Jamshedpur. It is the only Integrated Steel Plant in the world, outside Japan, to have won this award. </p> <p align="justify">Continuous improvement was the thrust area for Q3 FY09 to bring down cost and improve productivity.&nbsp; The newly commissioned blast furnace (known as H Blast Furnace) has ramped up and has produced more than 8500 tonnes per day for many consecutive days as against the rated capacity of 7150 tonnes per day. 50 years old Merchant Mill did best monthly production for 2 consecutive months during the quarter with an improved yield of 96.02% as compared to 95.45% last year. &nbsp;Yield of Wire Rod Mill (WRM) has also increased to 98.80% from last year figure of 96.35%. </p>'

'<P>Sumitomo Metal Industries Limited held a furnace building ceremony for its new number 1 blast furnace at the Wakayama Steel Works. Construction has been performed smoothly on schedule and the steel shell for the blast furnace has been installed. The number 4 blast furnace at the Wakayama Steel Works will be replaced by the new number 1 blast furnace. </P> <P>The estimated construction cost is JPY 51 billion and the construction period would be till July 2009. The capacity of the same is expected to be 7,500 tonnes a day. Its inner volume is 3,700 cubic meters with overall width of 12.5 meters. The number of tuyeres planned is 34 and 4 number of tap holes. <BR></P>'

'<P>Nippon Steel Corporation and Kobe Steel Limited announced that they have entered into an agreement to consider a joint business for recycling of steel dust and production and utilisation of direct-reduced iron. The agreement is made with the objectives of expanding and enhancing their cooperative ties. The two companies proceeded to consider the joint business and have now entered a contract to establish a joint company. The new operation's configuration as a joint operation between Nippon Steel and Kobe Steel is aimed at securing a stable source of materials and promoting recycling and zero emissions at all of the alliance members.</P> <P>Under the terms of an agreement, Nippon Steel and Kobe Steel will establish a joint company on the grounds of Nippon Steel's Hirohata Works to produce DRI from steel dust and iron ore powder with the objective of effective use of the iron and zinc content included in steel dust.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>&nbsp;</P>'

'<P>Siemens VAI Metals Technologies has announced that it is adding the Siroll Alusix six-high roll stand to its range of products. This ensures flexible rolling scheduling. Offsetting and bending of the work and intermediate rolls provide additional control options. In conjunction with the automatic flatness control system from Siemens VAI, this helps to improve the flatness of the rolled material. </P> <P>The new six-high roll stand is equipped with long-stroke cylinders for setting the intermediate rolls. As a result, the position of the intermediate rolls can be flexibly adapted to the width of the material to be rolled. The work rolls and intermediate rolls feature positive and negative roll bending, which is carried out by means of separate cylinders. This ensures a flowing transition between positive and negative bending and avoids the need to make sudden changes for compensation. </P> <P>&nbsp;</P>'

'<P>Morocco plans to invest US$ 3.15 billion in renewable energies over the next five years. Morocco also plans to increase its production of renewable energy sources destined for European export, such as solar, wind or wave, to 10 percent from four percent. </P> <P>The statement said that "ONE wants to contribute towards the goal of reducing emissions by working together with regional partners to develop renewable energy projects dedicated to export to Europe.”</P> <P>&nbsp;</P>'

'<P>Hyundai Steel has announced that it has signed a deal to purchase 1.5 million mt of pulverized coal from Australian miner Macarthur Coal over the next five years to secure supplies for its new blast furnaces.</P> <P>Under the deal, the value of which officials declined to disclose, Hyundai Steel will buy 300,000 mt/year of pulverized coal injection coal for five years. </P> <P>The coal will be used in two blast furnaces with a combined capacity of 8 million tons/year of crude steel that are currently under construction in the country's southwestern coastal city of Dangjin and scheduled to open by 2011.<BR></P>'

'<P>Baosteel's Xinjiang Bayi Steel announced that it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shandong Rizhou Port Co Ltd.&nbsp;</P> <P>Under the terms of an agreement, both sides will establish a periodical meetings system, and carry out deep-level communication &amp; cooperation on structural reform, financing &amp; investment, information resources sharing and operation &amp; management etc.&nbsp; Bayi Steel's iron ore demand is expected to break 10 million tonnes alongside its expanding capacity after it was acquired by the country's top steelmaker.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P>'

'<P>CME Group has announced that it will launch US Midwest Domestic Hot-Rolled Coil (HRC) steel futures contracts for trading and clearing on CME Globex® and ClearPort®. The contract will be financially settled against an index developed by CRU International. </P> <P>"In these uncertain financial markets, an exchange traded contract will provide customers with market transparency and integrity," said Rick Redding, Managing Director, Products and Services, CME Group. "In its more than 100 year history, CME Group has never had a credit default. By being at the center of every transaction, CME Clearing processes are designed to protect market user's interests and ensure the integrity of the marketplace." </P> <P>&nbsp;</P>'

'<P>Essar Steel Holdings, a part of Essar Global announced that it has lined up investments of more than US$ 4 billion (over Rs 18,000 crore) in North America. The investments would be made in the company's acquired companies, Algoma in Canada and Minnesota Steel in the US, as well as greenfield plants in Trinidad and Tobago. </P> <P>Speaking on the occasion, Shashi Ruia, Chairman, the Essar group said that the group remained committed to North America with investments of over US$ 4 billion in the region and currently employs 8,000 people. </P> <P>He added, "We are excited about starting this project. Today's groundbreaking is another step towards our goal of building a large presence in the steel sector in the Americas." </P> <P><BR>&nbsp;</P>'