Iran ups steel production to 19.2mln tons

Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Commerce Mehdi Qazanfari underlined the country\'s high capability to produce raw steel and steel products, and said Iran can now produce 19.2mln tons of steel annually. \"With the inauguration of Hormozgan steel complex the annual steel production capacity of the country reached 19.2mln tons,\" Qaznfari said on the sidelines of a ceremony held to mark inauguration of Hormozgan steel complex in Southern Iran on Monday. He also said that the country\'s capacity for the production of raw steel will increase to 21mln tons by the end of the current Iranian year (March 20) and to 24mln tons a year later. The last unit of the Hormozgan Steel Complex was inaugurated by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad earlier today. With the launch of operation of the steel bar production unit, the Hormozgan Steel Complex came into full operation. The Hormozgan Steel Complex uses latest technologies in melting, producing of grand bars, controlling pollution and unique software systems. The current production capacity of the complex stands at 1.5mln tons while necessary infrastructures for production of three million tons of raw steel have been prepared and will become operational soon. According to the latest report of the World Steel Association, Iran is the second leading steel producer in the Middle-East.