ArcelorMittal Dofasco to close No. 3 coke plant Monday, employees reassigned

ArcelorMittal Dofasco has announced it will officially decommission its No. 3 coke plant next week, CHCH News has learned.

The Hamilton steelmaker confirmed the plant will be brought down in a safe, controlled manner, with the final “push” of coke scheduled for Monday.

The move follows a 2021 announcement outlining the company’s plan to reduce emissions. In a statement, a spokesperson noted that the closure will provide “positive community and environmental benefits” through a significant reduction in site-wide emissions.

Company President and CEO Ron Bedard praised the generations of employees who operated the facility throughout Dofasco’s 114-year history in the city.

“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,” Bedard said.

“They have each contributed to making our company the strongest steelmaker in Canada.”

WATCH MORE: Hamiltonian, advocacy group request probe into ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s emissions

The company stated that there will be no job losses associated with the closure. Impacted employees are being reassigned to new roles within the company, with individual transition plans developed for every worker.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath posted a statement on social media Thursday afternoon, praising the contributions of generations of Dofasco workers and noting the closure as a step toward cleaner air and healthier neighbourhoods.

“Steelmaking is at the heart of Hamilton’s identity, and generations of workers at ArcelorMittal Dofasco have helped build our city into what it is today,” she wrote on X.

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

Following the closure, the company will operate a single remaining coke facility, the No. 2 coke plant. ArcelorMittal Dofasco committed to investing in the maintenance of that facility to ensure continued compliance with provincial environmental regulations while working toward long-term decarbonization goals.

Coke serves as a vital fuel for blast furnaces to produce the liquid iron used in the steelmaking process. The No. 1 coke plant was previously decommissioned in 2015.

READ MORE: Orange smoke over ArcelorMittal Dofasco caused by ‘malfunction’