Tangshan level-II smog alert for Jan 17-19 to affect sintering machines

SHANGHAI, Jan 17 (SMM) – China's top steelmaking city Tangshan, in Hebei province, issued a level II pollution alert effective from CST 12:00 on January 17 to midnight on January 20, the city’s environmental authorities said on Thursday January 17. 

During the period, sintering machines in steel plants assessed as Categories B and C will have to cut capacity by 50% and 60%, respectively. Sintering machines in Category D mills were ordered to close down.

Mills in Category A located in urban areas faced cutbacks of 40% on their sintering machines, while those located outside the city should cut capacity by 30%, SMM learned. 

Coking duration across coking plants will be extended. All mining and ore crushing companies in Tangshan were asked to suspend during the smog alert.

From CST 20:00 on January 17 to CST 8:00 on January 20, transport vehicles are banned from delivering cargoes at ports.