Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- Officials and workers in the metallurgical industry of the DPRK are making innovations while taking development-oriented measures to lay foundations for increased iron and steel production.

The Ministry of Metallurgical Industry discussed and assigned tasks to implement the policy of struggle set forth by the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, while directing efforts to further perfecting the already-reinforced foundation for the production of Juche iron and expanding its productive capacity.

Steps have been taken to carry out the production plan through the normal operation of equipment while pushing ahead with the repair of major equipment at the Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex as planned and more rationally establishing the Samhwa iron production line at the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex.

The Chongjin Steel Plant and the Posan Iron Works are taking measures to supply raw materials and fuel and increasing the number of operating days of the revolving furnaces while strengthening cooperation and operation among relevant sectors and units.

Ways are also being sought to enhance the iron mines' capacity of removing earth-scraping, reinforce mining and conveying equipment and raise the grade of concentrated iron ore.

The Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex is boosting cooperation and connection among production processes and making the check-up in a responsible manner to bring about high results.

The Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex and the Chollima Steel Complex are revitalizing production while solving the problems arising in updating the technical and economic indices of major production processes and putting the operation of equipment on a normal track.

The Musan Mining Complex and other iron mines are conducting the work to hasten the maintenance and repair of crushers and grinding mills.

The production is going up at the Chongjin Steel Plant, the Posan Iron Works and the Puryong Ferroalloy Factory, too. -0-