ArcelorMittal to place Kryvyi Rih plant into cold shutdown
The steelmaker says wartime security risks and repeated Russian attacks have made safe operations impossible. The site will undergo a two-month shutdown process before its industrial assets are preserved.
ArcelorMittal has formally announced a cold shutdown of its steelmaking operations in Kryvyi Rih, one of the Ukrainian city's largest employers. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported the decision on Tuesday, November 10.
The company plans to spend the next two months preparing the facility for a safe halt, followed by the preservation of industrial equipment and assets. It is not withdrawing from Ukraine entirely, but says production cannot continue safely while the war is under way.
About 16,000 people are employed at the complex, with many now being placed on partially paid leave. According to company figures, four Russian strikes in August and September killed six employees and wounded more than 18 others. The latest attack in that series occurred on September 21.