Recovery from Sichuan Earthquake Requires 20 million tonnes of Steel

National Development and Reform Commission of China estimates the reconstruction work from major earthquake in Sichuan needs around 20 million tonnes of steel products for 3 years. The commission estimates the earthquake impacted on 3 million families. The government already ordered 1 million tonnes of steel for immediate use for recovery while it requests stable price and priority supply. Baosteel Group will provide 38,000 tonnes of colored galvanizing steel for housing. The earthquake killed more than 68,000 people as of May end while the sufferers are 4.56 million people and 6.52 million houses were destroyed. Chinese government builds 250,000 units of temporally houses in a month and 1 million of houses in 2 months. Chinese steel makers try to secure the materials for the recovery effort by reducing export. Chinese government also requested not to increase the steel price for the recovery effort to major steel makers including Baosteel and Anshan Iron and Steel.