Brazil produced 2.4 million tonnes of crude steel in April, down 12.4 percent from the same period in 2005, according to the International Iron & Steel institute, in fact, Brazil's steel production has trended downward since February when production declined 17.7 percent to 2.13 million tonnes. In March. Brazil produced 2.4 million tonnes, down 10.2 percent. "The outlook for Brazil's steel output and sales in 2006 remains very optimistic," a source told Coal Americas. "First half production and sales have been affected by the loss of CSN's No. 3 blast furnace, which was taken off-line by an explosion in January," As mentioned earlier in Coal Americas, the No. 3 blast furnace is scheduled to be brought back on line June 15. However, it will take 15 to 20 days before the furnace is operating at full production capacity.
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