Hiring continues for two big projects at Essar Steel Algoma

Although construction has not yet started on one capital project at the local steel plant, a second project is set to hire even more tradespeople, says Essar Steel Algoma.

Job postings on the Sault Community Career Centre website suggested an additional construction project at the plant, which requires more than 100 additional tradespeople.

Stenta confirmed this is a second capital project and seperate from the repair of the coke oven through walls.

"Four stoves service the Number 7 blast furnace – all are of the same vintage and nearing end of life; three are required for regular furnace operation so only one stove can be removed from service, at a time" said Stenta.

As a result, one stove will be replaced within the Number 7 blast furnace per year over four years.

Last May, SooToday reported 60 tradespeople were to be hired by Chinese company Sinosteel to repair coke oven through walls at the plant in a project expected to be completed within a year.

"We will deploy an innovative engineering approach, thus eliminating the need for a lengthy shutdown of the battery or the blast furnace during the rebuild period,” she said.

“Sinosteel has initiated this second posting to start the recruiting process for a second capital project, the replacement of the Hot Blast Stoves at Number 7 blast furnace,” said Stenta. 

“The replacement stoves will be state-of-the-art energy efficient stoves that feature a higher blast temperature and increased working pressure which will result in a fuel savings of $16.7 million per year once three of the four stoves are completed,” she said.

This job will also require a large supply of skilled brick setters and will provide opportunity for a number of apprenticeships as it will span four years.

Construction for initial coke oven through walls project was to begin last September, but has yet to start.

“The challenge associated with this project is to use a unique methodology that allows for rebuilding the walls of the nine ovens while Number 8 battery is still running and the adjacent ovens are in use," said Brenda Stenta, manager of corporate communications for Essar Steel Algoma.

“These two projects are important investments in asset integrity, ensuring a reliable operation.  They are projected to save us $16.7-million annually in fuel and $5.9-million cost avoidance in purchased coke,” she continued.

Stenta said the projects are part of a broader $363-million Plant Optimization and Efficiency Project, which is planned over the next five years.

“This much-needed modernization of our facility will mitigate risk and ensure our long-term operating reliability. It is an investment that is part of our plan to ensure that we’re able to keep good, well-paying jobs locally and continue to be successful in the Sault,” she said.