Company News

Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd has resumed operations at one of its two major blast furnaces in its Kashima plant in Ibaraki Prefecture. As a result of the earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan, the company had suspended operations at the two furnaces in Kashima.

Fluor Corp has announced that Fluor Government Group (FGG) has named Eleanor Spector as vice president to lead its contracting activity. Spector will be based in Fluor's Arlington, Va. office.

A.D.Tubi Inossidabili SpA will expand into North America, Mexico, and the South and Central American markets in partnership with Kipp International Steel Sales.

Valero Energy Corp. will acquire Chevron's Pembroke refinery in Wales, U.K., in addition to extensive marketing and logistics assets throughout the U.K. and Ireland.

South Africa-based Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), a Rio Tinto-BHP Billiton joint venture, intends to construct a large plant with operations expected to begin in 2016.

The Vasa Museum and Sandvik are taking on a critical project to replace 5000 wrought iron bolts on the Swedish heritage vessel. A national treasure, Vasa capsized and sank in 1628 as it prepared for its maiden voyage; it was raised from the bottom of the harbour in 1961 and carefully restored.

Oil services group Aker Solutions has named Per Harald Kongelf chief operating officer and added three members to its executive management team.

Ferrous Resources Limited intends to form a strategic partnership with an investor by late April or early May of 2011 to support the development of a USD 4.2 billion iron ore project in Brazil. Talks are currently underway with five interested partners, which may include traders, mining companies

Japanese and Korean steel firms have entered into an agreement to acquire a 15% stake in Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM) for USD 1.9 billion. JFE Steel Corporation, Nippon Steel Corporation, Sojitz Corporation, Japan Oil and Gas, and Metals National Corporation will acquire a 10%