Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing inspects No 2 Steel Mill (Pinpet) Project
NAY PYI TAW March 8
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by SAC members, Union ministers, the Shan State chief minister, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Eastern Command commander and officials, inspected No 2 Steel Mill(Pinpet) of No 1 Heavy Industries, Ministry of Industry, near Pinngo Village, Pinpet area, Taunggyi Township, this morning.
At the briefing hall of the mill, Union Minister for Industry Dr Charlie Than and Deputy Minister U Yin Maung Nyunt reported on resumption of the No 2 Steel Mill (Pinpet) Project on 4 October 2021 in accord with the guidance given by the Senior General during his inspection of the mill in 2021, the evolvement of the project and steps to resume its operations, progress in implementing the project and mechanical repair, systematization of the mill by a technical team.
Next, Chairman of Myanmar Economic Corporation Lt-Gen Nyo Saw and Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Khin Maung Yi presented a report on operations carried out by MEC and Process En-gineers from Tyazhpromexport (TPE) of Russian Federation, mechanical inspection carried out at all sections of workshops, progress in making mechanical repairs, replacements and installations, available volume of iron ore and industrial raw materials for the project, and ceiling limit.
As regards the reports, the Senior General said steel is essential for nationuilding task. The steel mill projects must be successful as domestic steel demand is high. The mills will help the country fulfill its demand for steel and iron, basic requirements for national development, without needing to import them, and generate job opportunities. Moreover steel products have a stable market. Hence, it is a must to successfully implement the Pinpet steel mill project. The project was implemented amidst financial and technological difficulties. Sadly, the project was halted in 2017 without any knowledge of it and any strategic outlook. Steel is an essential item in building a modern country.
Unlike forests, underground natural resources are not renewable. They are age old natural formations. So, regulations are required to tap them only for the areas that are actually beneficial for the country. The right to management the country’s above ground and under-ground resources is in the hands of citizens, and the strength of the nation lies within. People must nurture their selfconfidence in carrying out the project with national strength. The country will not need to rely on others if it has competent human resources. Ministries should develop human resources under long-term plans. The Union will adopt policies that ensure success, but actual success of the policies and projects depends on ministries. Systematic and effective procedures must be applied in implementing the projects through a longterm vision. As the milluses Romelt, the newest steel smelting method in the world, uninterrupted production process and sectorwise links must be prioritized. A third party must serve as a body to inspect quality and functions.
The Senior General and party looked around iron ore pro-cessing sector, raw material storage and distribution sector, waste to energy plant, smelting sector, molding sector, raw iron storage sector, high-pressure air compressors in the mill and looked into the requirements. The Senior General presented cash award for the staff through officials.
No 2 Steel Mill (Pinpet) was launched by Tyazhpromexport (TPE) of Russian Federation and MEC on 5 September 2006.
The mill was transferred to Ministry of Industry on 1 October 2012. It operations were temporary halted on 15 March 2017. During inspection of the mill on 1 October 2021, the Senior General gave guidance and pointed out the need to successfully implement the No 2 Steel Mill (Pinpet) as local steel demand was high. In accord with the guidance, the mill resumed operations on 4 October. Test run of 19 sectors of the 22 sectors (workshops) has been conducted till now. It is an ongoing project.