Foundation Stone Laid for Sponge Iron Plant in Basra

Iraq's Minister of Industry and Minerals, Khaled Battal Al-Najm, has laid the foundation stone for a sponge iron plant in Basra. The plant, belonging to the General Company for Iron and Steel, will have a production capacity of one million tonnes per year. The project aims to ensure a steady supply of high-purity sponge iron, a key raw material for steel production, to sustain operations at the country's steel plants.

Speaking at a press conference, Minister Al-Najm described the project as a major industrial initiative under the government's strategic industry development plan. He highlighted its importance in meeting market demand, strengthening Iraq's steel sector, and creating job opportunities.