ArcelorMittal Dofasco decommissioning coke plant in Hamilton

ArcelorMittal Dofasco's No. 3 coke plant in Hamilton is seen in this undated photo. (ArcelorMittal Dofasco)

ArcelorMittal Dofasco says it is shutting down one of its coke plants in Hamilton.

The steel company announced the upcoming decommissioning of its No. 3 Plant in a post on its website, saying the last production of the fuel will be completed on April 13.

Coke is used in the blast furnace process, which produces liquid iron used in steelmaking, the company said.

It is unclear how many workers will be impacted, but Dofasco said they will be reassigned to new roles and areas of the plant.

“Today, my thoughts turn to the generations of dedicated cokemakers at No.3 plant who have done their job with pride and with excellence over the years,” Ron Bedard, the company’s president and CEO, said in a statement.

“I want to thank them, past and present, for their efforts and their expertise. They have each contributed to making our company the strongest steel maker in Canada.”

Decommissioning part of Dofasco’s ‘decarbonization pathway’

Dofasco first announced the decommissioning of the plant in 2021 as part of its “decarbonization pathway.”

It had said its $1.8 billion project would replace coal-fed coke ovens and blast furnaces with low-emission technology, which could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about three million tonnes annually.

The company’s steelmaking process is considered one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario.

Dofasco noted that decommissioning the plant would lead to reduced visible emissions, benzo(a)pyrene and benzene emissions.

The company noted that it will focus on operating the remaining No. 2 plant and investing in equipment maintenance.

The No. 1 coke plant was decommissioned in 2015.

“We will also continue to take proactive and responsible decisions and actions to protect our Canadian melted and poured steel and the livelihoods of our people. Our long-term decarbonization intentions remain and we will continue to work towards these ambitions,” Dofasco said in its post.

‘An important step forward’: Horwath

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath paid tribute to the workers at the No. 3 plant and called the decommissioning “an important step forward,” as it will mean cleaner air for the city.

“It reflects real progress toward a more sustainable future and a modern, competitive steel industry,” she said.

“Hamilton has always been a city that builds, and this moment shows we can continue to do that while better balancing economic strength with environmental responsibility - ensuring our city remains a strong, innovative steel city for generations to come.”