The Kryvyi Rih City Council, led by Acting Mayor Yuriy Vilkul, has sent an official appeal to Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal asking him to reconsider his intentions to completely halt production at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the website of the Kryvyi Rih City Council. In the document, the city authorities emphasize that a complete shutdown of the plant, which currently employs about 17,000 people, will entail large-scale socio-economic consequences for the entire Kryvyi Rih territorial community and, in their assessment, could negatively affect the stability of the state as a whole amid the ongoing military aggression.
Social Risks and the Threat of a Technogenic Disaster
The appeal focuses on the fact that further large-scale staff reductions will lead to the loss of income for thousands of families and heightened social tension in the city. A separate section of the document is devoted to technogenic and environmental risks: the authorities point to the danger of halting proper maintenance of hydraulic structures in the event of a complete shutdown of the enterprise. As a clear example, they cited the emergency breach of the Central tailings dump dam that occurred in 2021, which demonstrated the consequences that a lack of regular maintenance of such facilities can lead to.
«Partial Operation is Technically Feasible»
According to Vilkul and the deputy corps, the complete cessation of production activities previously announced by company management is not the only possible solution. The appeal explicitly states that even after missile attacks, there remains a technical possibility for the partial operation of the metallurgical complex, provided safety measures for the enterprise's employees are observed. In addition, it is noted that demand for metal products remains on Ukraine's domestic market—specifically for construction and infrastructure restoration—making product sales economically viable.
Context: From Missile Strikes to a «Cold Shutdown»
The decision to transfer the enterprise into a «cold shutdown» mode was made by the management of ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih after four devastating missile attacks that killed six plant workers and injured more than 18 others. Initial metallurgical production has already been halted. Over the next two months, according to the previously announced plan, preparations will continue for the safe shutdown and conservation of industrial assets. It is at this stage that the city authorities' appeal was voiced, calling on Lakshmi Mittal to personally intervene in the situation and make a balanced decision aimed at preventing a technogenic and environmental disaster, preserving production potential, and saving the maximum possible number of jobs.
What's Next
At the time of publication, no response has been received from Lakshmi Mittal or the ArcelorMittal corporate office regarding the Kryvyi Rih City Council's appeal. The outcome of the two-month conservation preparation period, as well as whether the decision on a complete shutdown will be revised or supplemented with a partial operation scenario, will be a key factor for the socio-economic situation in one of Ukraine's largest industrial cities.
