Some of OAO Severstal's North American steelmaking operations, which have been idled for several months, are now scheduled to be back in operation before year-end.

The Russian steelmaker has said on several occasions it will consider bringing back idled operations as business conditions warrant, and said Thursday that Severstal North America Inc. operations in Yorkville and Martins Ferry, Ohio, will be back online within weeks. Local United Steelworkers union officials told AMM on Thursday that some other operations are on their way back within the next few weeks as well.

Union officials said the company will be calling workers back for physicals in the next week and will send them to work at operations at the Yorkville cold mill, which will process hot-rolled tons to come from Sparrows Point in the next several weeks. The union leaders said they expect to process about 500,000 tons (about 42,000 tons per month) at Yorkville in 2010. That amount of business will lead to plans to begin galvanizing operations out of Martins Ferry within weeks.

The company issued a statement Thursday saying operations at Yorkville will resume Dec. 13 to provide additional cold-rolling capacity. Yorkville has been idled since June.

"The return to operation of the (Yorkville and Martins Ferry) mill will better balance supply and finishing capabilities within Severstal North America and reflects increasing demand for cold-rolled and coated products," the company said.

The...