A project to extend the operational life of Tata Steel’s Blast Furnace 5 in Port Talbot has begun.

The giant furnace, which has been running for the past 15 years and has produced almost 30 million tonnes of iron is being drained for vital engineering work to be carried out inside, extending its life by up to seven years.

Once the heart of the furnace — normally at more than 1,200°C — has cooled, engineers will begin work to replace part of the heat-resistant interior and vital structural parts.

The project, costing tens of millions of pounds and expected to take several months, will also see the waste gas and dust extraction system replaced.

The Blast Furnace 5 life extension project is a critical part of Tata Steel’s long-term strategy to strengthen its operations in the UK.

Bimlendra Jha, CEO of Tata Steel’s UK business, said: “This is the biggest single investment we have made at the Port Talbot site for more than five years.

“It demonstrates our commitment to building a stronger steel-making business in the UK.”

Alan Coombs, chair of the Port Talbot multi-union committee, said: “This investment in Port Talbot is a huge vote of confidence in the workforce.

“It follows some other major investments that will help to sustain the steel industry in the UK.”