UPDATE December 25, 2020 6:05 p.m.
The incident was a series of eruptions that occurred during the Slag Casting process – when slag and molten iron from the Blast Furnace are separated and the slag is cast. In this case liquid slag / iron came into contact with moisture which caused the eruptions. (The Blast Furnace produces liquid iron used in steelmaking. Slag, a byproduct, is cast, then pelletized and used in aggregate applications).
The reaction was between water and primarily liquid iron and would have been comprised of mostly iron, iron oxide and water vapour, as well as silica, calcium, magnesium, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
ORIGINAL POST December 25, 2020 12:20 p.m.
At approximately 11:10 a.m. a slag pit eruption occurred at the No. 4 Blast Furnace. Thankfully there are no injuries. However the event caused a significant air emission. Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks have been alerted.
Both ArcelorMittal and Hamilton Fire attended. Hamilton Fire has now left. The site is secure.
We will provide an update when available.