SHANGHAI, Oct 31 (SMM) – The government of Tangshan, China’s top steelmaking city, issued a second level or orange-level pollution alert that forced industrial plants to cut or suspend output.

The alerts would be effective from Wednesday October 31 to Monday November 5.

Tangshan has ordered steel mills to suspend their sintering machines, while coke plants would have to extend their production period in order to reduce toxic emissions.

Sintering machines and shaft furnaces with denitrification facilities can be exempted from the restriction.

All mining and casting activities would also be shut.