US mini-mill producer Big River Steel [BRS] has commissioned its Phase II expansion ahead of schedule, according to equipment provider SMS group. 

The $716 million expansion increases the mill’s annual output to 3.3m short ton. It was originally slated for commissioning on 27 January, Kallanish notes.

“Despite the constraints resulting from the measures taken to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, we were able to complete the installation and commissioning of the new systems about two months earlier than originally scheduled,” says SMS chairman Burkhard Dahmen. “This was possible, above all, thanks to the excellent cooperation based on mutual trust between the BRS and SMS group teams.”

BRS is in the process of being acquired by legacy producer US Steel.