LONDON (Alliance News) - Miner South32 Ltd on Wednesday said the South African mines run by its Samancor Manganese joint venture will remain closed until a strategic review of the business is completed.
Production was suspended at the mines on November 2 following a fatality at the Mamatwan mine.
South32 said the mines, based in the Kalahari basin, will have to be reconfigured in order to secure their long-term viability and a consultation at the mines is ongoing and likely to restart in January 2016.
South32 said while production will be severely hit by the suspension of the mines in financial 2016, rail and customer commitments will be met by drawing down inventory.
South32 owns a 60% stake in the Samancor Manganese joint venture, the largest manganese producer in the world.
By Sam Unsted; samunsted@alliancenews.com; @SamUAtAlliance
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South32 (S32)