Mining and metals producer Assmang has declared force majeure on its medium-carbon ferro-manganese production in South Africa, a source told Fastmarkets this week.
Assmang, which produces refined ferro-manganese at its Cato Ridge Alloys plant in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, halted production last week.
The
force majeure declaration was made in the first week of 2021 after it became clear there would be a shortage of oxygen due to supplies being diverted to hospitals to help deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, the source said.
Oxygen is needed in medium-carbon and low-carbon ferro-manganese production to reduce the carbon content.
“It is unclear when Assmang will restart production,” the source said. “As long as the hospitals need whatever oxygen is available, then production will be stopped.