The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued an environmental permit to Steel Dynamics Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., to commence modification and expansion of the bar mill in Pittsboro, Indiana, which was acquired by Steel Dynamics earlier this year. Expansion of the mill and subsequent installation of equipment are expected to proceed through the remainder of 2003 and the first quarter of 2004. Steel Dynamics expects to begin production of special-bar-quality (SBQ) products early in 2004, followed by production of merchant bar products in the second quarter of 2004. At its planned capacity, the mill should be capable of producing 500,000 to 600,000 tons of bar products per year. This rate is not expected to be achieved before 2005.