Metals
Auction Date Set For Sparrows Point
September 25, 2012 3:52 pm | by Alex Dominguez, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe mill outside Baltimore employed more than 2,000 before RG Steel filed for bankruptcy, and employees have been hoping the liquidators would find buyers interested in operating the mill again instead of dismantling it. Hilco is advertising the mill on its website as one of the world's largest steel mills with rare access to a deepwater port.
FEMCO Introduces 23-Station Horizontal Lathe At IMTS
September 21, 2012 9:56 am | Product Releases | CommentsFEMCO Inc. has introduced the HL-35DMSY lathe, which uses the company's patented 23-station Durga turret. The new machine also uses two spindles with a Y-axis and 11 live tool stations.
Ko-ga-me Brings 3D CNC Measuring To Almost Any Process
September 19, 2012 2:51 pm | Product Releases | CommentsMitutoyo has announced the availability of its new Ko-ga-me measurement head, which was desinged to increase capacity in applications where a compact, high-performance, 3D CNC, 2- or 3-axis measurement system is needed. The Ko-ga-me is only 17.3" x 16.1" x 4.6', and weighs 17.6 pounds, which makes it agile enough for any customer to mount it using an available fixed base or a moving-axis mounting system of the customer's own design.
Alpha To Close 8 Mines, Cut 1,200 Jobs
September 18, 2012 8:00 am | by Vicki Smith, Associated Press | News | CommentsCoal producer Alpha Natural Resources says it's eliminating 1,200 jobs, including 400 with the immediate closing of eight mines in Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Chief Executive Officer Kevin Crutchfield says the layoffs begin with the mine shutdowns Tuesday. The rest will come by the end of the first quarter.
South African Chrome Miners Join Strike Despite Crackdown
September 17, 2012 8:04 am | News | CommentsThe South African Press Association reports mining strikes that have halted work at seven gold and platinum mines have spread to the chrome sector. The official news agency quotes a strike leader saying some miners at Samancor Chrome stopped work Friday demanding a minimum take-home pay of $1,560.
Ormet To Lay Off 200 At La. Alumina Plant
September 12, 2012 9:33 am | News | CommentsOrmet reopened the shuttered Burnside alumina plant in late 2011, after the plant had been closed for five years, but says that reduced demand caused by rising power rates in Ohio has forced the company to wind down operations in Ohio and Louisiana.
Malaysia Rare Earths Plant Wins License To Operate
September 5, 2012 4:34 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsAustralian miner Lynas Corp. says it has secured the Malaysian government's approval to fire up a controversial rare earths plant. The operating license ends months of delays sparked by safety concerns surrounding the Australian company's plans to process rare earths crucial for manufacturing high-tech products.
U.S. Steel, Union Agree On Pact For 16,000 Workers
September 4, 2012 12:24 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsU.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers announced a tentative agreement Sunday on a three-year contract covering more than 16,000 workers at domestic facilities. Details of the contract were not announced. The union said members will vote after reviewing details over the next few weeks.
Judge Holds Hearing In RG Steel Bankruptcy
August 30, 2012 10:06 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsBankrupt steelmaker RG Steel is working with creditors to resolve issues surrounding the sales of its steel mill facilities. Creditors for the most part are trying to preserve their property and access rights to material they own at the Sparrows Point mill near Baltimore.
EPA Asked For More Time To Study Taconite Plan
August 30, 2012 9:34 am | News | CommentsThe EPA is proposing tighter limits on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions than called for by plans offered by Minnesota and Michigan. It's considering requiring a new type of "low NOx" burner for taconite pellet furnaces that already has been tested at U.S. Steel's Minntac plant. That type of burner can cut NOx pollution by up to 70 percent, said Douglas Aburano, a section chief with the EPA.
If The Climbing Shoe Doesn’t Fit, Design A New Foot
August 29, 2012 10:22 am | by Nick O’Donohoe, Morris Technologies | Articles | CommentsExposed on a vertical face, rock climbers rely on their instincts, experience and, as importantly, their equipment. For C.J. Howard, a northern California-based climbing enthusiast, as with all climbers, the shoes are important. But as a lower-leg amputee, even more important is the customized prosthetic foot that he designed with climbing partner and environmental/aerospace engineer Mandy Ott.
New Industrial Plant To Bring Jobs To Hanceville, Ala.
August 28, 2012 2:14 pm | News | CommentsAuthorities say a new industrial plant in Hanceville is expected to create as many as 30 local jobs in its first phase of operation. The Cullman Times reports that Morris-based Kennedy Galvanizing Inc. will locate the new plant on 24 acres of industrial property in a $2.75 million dollar project.
Schnitzer Steel To Cut 300 Jobs In Restructuring
August 28, 2012 11:38 am | News | CommentsSchnitzer Steel Industries Inc. said Tuesday it will cut about 300 jobs as part of a restructuring plan designed to save the company $25 million in annual operating costs. The company also issued earnings guidance for the current quarter well below average Wall Street predictions, blaming lower sale prices for many of its products.
China Raises Rare Earths Export Quota For 2012
August 22, 2012 6:42 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsChina has slightly increased this year's quota for rare earths exports under controversial controls on the exotic minerals needed by manufacturers of mobile phones and other high-tech products. The Commerce Ministry said Wednesday the quota for the second half of this year will be 9,770 tons.
S. Africa Defense Minister Apologizes For Shot Miners
August 21, 2012 2:13 pm | by Michelle Faul and Nqobile Ntshangase, Associated Press | News | CommentsSouth Africa's defense minister apologized Tuesday to angry miners who held up plastic packets of bullet casings, the first government official to beg forgiveness for the police shootings that killed 34 striking miners, wounded another 78 and shocked the nation. It was the most deadly display of state violence since apartheid ended in 1994.
Century Aluminum Ends Electricity, Hints Smelter End
August 21, 2012 1:59 pm | by Bruce Schreiner, Associated Press | News | CommentsAn aluminum company embroiled in a dispute over its electricity costs said Monday it has given notice to terminate its power contract, a move signaling that the future of its large western Kentucky smelter is in deep jeopardy. Century said it is not obligated to continue operating the plant but was looking at options to keep it open.
Group Praises Apple, HP For 'Conflict Free' Minerals
August 16, 2012 1:31 pm | by Krista Larson, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Enough Project ranked companies based on efforts to ensure their gadgets aren't paying for the weapons used to terrorize Congolese civilians.
S. Africa Police Fire At Striking Mine Workers
August 16, 2012 12:24 pm | by Jon Gambrell, Associated Press | News | CommentsPolice moved in on striking workers who gathered near the Lonmin aluminum mine after urging them to give up their weapons and go home.
Judge Approves Sale Of RG Steel Assets
August 15, 2012 7:49 pm | by RANDALL CHASE - AP Business Writer - Associated Press | News | CommentsRG Steel, the nation's fourth-largest flat-rolled steel manufacturer, has sold its Sparrows Point mill for $72 million, among others.
The Creative Engineering Of Anodizing
August 14, 2012 10:58 am | by the Engineer Guy | Videos | CommentsBill Hammack, the "Engineer Guy," tackles anodizing, the process of corroding aluminum just enough to provide a variety of colors, not to mention a durable coating.
Violence At South African Platinum Mine Kills 9
August 13, 2012 2:39 pm | by Jon Gambrell, Associated Press | News | CommentsProtests began Friday at the mine when workers walked off the job over a salary dispute and escalated into the killing of two police officers.
China Tightens Controls On Rare Earths Production
August 8, 2012 9:04 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsMines and smelters must meet minimum output levels to continue operating, which could shut down 20 percent of the country's production.
GM Invests In Light-Weight Steel Company
August 6, 2012 1:00 pm | News | CommentsGM is sinking an undisclosed amount of money into a steel alloy that would help the automaker comply with stronger federal fuel economy standards.
Steelworkers At W.Va. Constellium Plant On Strike
August 6, 2012 12:26 pm | News | CommentsAbout 700 union workers of United Steelworkers Local 5668 argue that they shouldn't have to pay more for health care costs.
Pa. AG Takes Aim At Foreign Steel On Public Jobs
August 3, 2012 1:46 pm | News | CommentsThe office says Ryco Fire Protection Services unfairly used cheaper foreign-made steel in order to gain an unfair competitive advantage in bidding.
