Iran’s major steelmakers increased crude steel production 8% on-year in the four months through 21 July to 7.4 million tonnes, according to the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (Imidro).

Direct reduced iron output was up 11% to 10.5mt. Iron ore concentrate and pellet output rose 1% and 2% respectively to 16mt and 14.7mt, Kallanish notes.

In the 21-July month alone, crude steel output rose 8% on-year to 1.8mt.

One-month DRI output rose 6% to 2.37mt, with Khouzestan Steel and Mobarakeh Steel seeing 17% and 5% growth respectively.

One-month pellet production rose 4% to 3.56mt, with Khorasan Steel and Middle East Mines & Mineral Industries Development Holding Company (Midhco) seeing growth of 36% and 21% respectively.

One-month iron ore concentrate output rose 12% to 4.13mt, with Midhco, Sanabad Industrial & Mineral Development Company (Simidco) and Chadormalu seeing output up 67%, 33% and 27% respectively.