Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Kryvyi Rih Urges ArcelorMittal to Keep Its Steel Plant Operating
Kryvyi Rih officials have asked ArcelorMittal to keep its steel plant operating in the Ukrainian city.
The plant, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, employs about 17,000 people, and local officials warn that job losses could hurt many families and the city’s economy.
The company plans a cold shutdown lasting about two months, after which equipment would be preserved so production could potentially resume.
ArcelorMittal says damage to industrial facilities means it cannot safely restart production after strikes.
City officials also warn that mine-water systems, dams and waste-storage sites need ongoing maintenance even if steelmaking stops.
They have proposed keeping some operations, including iron-ore concentrate production and shipments to the company’s European plants, while the company says it does not plan to leave Ukraine.
Authorities in Kryvyi Rih have asked ArcelorMittal to reconsider plans to stop its steel plant.
The city says about 17,000 people work at the plant and warns that job losses could harm families and the local economy.
Officials also warn that reduced maintenance at the site could increase the risk of industrial accidents.
The company has said it cannot safely resume production after damage to industrial facilities from strikes.
The plant’s chief executive described the shutdown as a precautionary measure and said the company was not leaving Ukraine.
- Who
- Kryvyi Rih authorities and ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih.
- What
- City authorities asked the company to keep the plant operating or reconsider its shutdown plans.
- When
- The appeal was reported on October 28 and 29, 2026.
- Where
- Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine.
- Why
- Officials cited risks to jobs, the local economy and the safe maintenance of industrial and environmental infrastructure.
Kryvyi Rih authorities
ArcelorMittal
Reason for shutdown
Kryvyi Rih authorities
The city urged the company to reconsider and said some production could be maintained.
ArcelorMittal
The company said it could not safely resume production after industrial facilities were damaged in strikes.
Future in Ukraine
Kryvyi Rih authorities
The city asked for production to continue, including iron ore concentrate production and shipments to ArcelorMittal’s European plants.
ArcelorMittal
The plant’s chief executive said the shutdown was a precautionary measure and that the company was not leaving Ukraine.
The company said damage to industrial facilities meant it could not safely resume production.
The plant was hit four times and its production facilities were significantly damaged.
Kryvyi Rih authorities appealed to the company to keep the plant operating or reconsider its plans.
- Workforce
- About 17,000 people
- Shutdown plan
- Cold shutdown expected to take about two months
- Company
- ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih
- City
- Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine
- Date of earlier company statement
- 25 September
3 sources
What people are saying
cold
precautionary measure