Assmang may close S.A’s only ferro-manganese smelter
Assmang is considering closing Cato Ridge Works, South Africa’s only ferro-manganese (FeMn) smelter currently in operation, due to weak market conditions and increasing electricity costs.
“Assmang will not be selling Cato Ridge, but contemplating full closure,” a company official confirmed to McCloskey. “Section 189, a retrenchment consultation process will be issued.”
Cato Ridge, which uses manganese ore from Assmang’s Black Rock (Gloria and Nchwaning) mines in the Northern Cape, is the only operating FeMn smelter in South Africa, after Metalloys was placed in care and maintenance in 2020.
Cato Ridge’s current FeMn production could not be confirmed. However, industry data showed South Africa’s production of high carbon FeMn at 8,832 t in the first quarter this year, down from 12,964 t a year ago.
If Cato Ridge shuts, South Africa will only have one manganese smelter still in operation. Transalloys, which is the country’s only silico-manganese (SiMn) producer, continues to operate, despite reports earlier this year that it could shut.
Menar’s Khwelamet, which is expected to acquire Metalloys from Samancor by year end, has indicated it would like to bring the FeMn smelter back into operation sometime soon.