EXHIBIT 99.1



                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C.ss.1350),
the undersigned, John D. Correnti, Chief Executive Officer of Birmingham Steel
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), does hereby certify, to his
knowledge, that:

            The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2002 of
the Company (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the information contained
in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition
and results of operations of the Company.

                  /s/ John D. Correnti
                  ----------------------------
                  John D. Correnti
                  Chairman of the Board,
                  Chief Executive Officer


                  Dated: October 14, 2002