#6 blast furnace start-up planned for tonight

NEWS RELEASE

ESSAR STEEL ALGOMA INC.

************************* Essar Steel Algoma starts up No. 6 blast furnace

SAULT STE. MARIE – Commensurate with the receipt of the certificate of approval from the Ministry of the Environment, Essar Steel Algoma plans to initiate the start-up of No. 6 blast furnace this evening.

The process is expected to last approximately two to three days, beginning with ‘wind on’ and culminating in a series of preliminary casts until the necessary iron quality is achieved.

It is anticipated the start-up procedure will result in a visible emission from the top of the stack and low-level noise for a short period of time as we blow in the furnace.

No. 6 Blast Furnace is a vital component of Essar Steel Algoma’s planned expansion to four million saleable tons.

As part of Essar’s ongoing commitment to the environment and the community, Essar Steel is investing nearly $90 million in air emission controls over an 18 month period, ensuring an overall net reduction in air emissions.

The company intends to host a community open house in the coming weeks to publicly share the terms and conditions of the certificate of approval and outline progress to date on air quality initiatives currently underway at Essar Steel Algoma.

A member of the Essar Group, Essar Steel Algoma Inc. is based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

As a fully integrated steel producer, Algoma’s revenues are derived primarily from the manufacture and sale of rolled steel products including hot and cold rolled sheet and plate.

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