Liberty Bell Bay halts operations

Australia’s only commercial ferroalloy smelter, located in Tasmania, has moved into care and maintenance due to ongoing global iron ore supply issues and market fluctuations.

The Liberty Bell Bay smelter is considered one of the largest ferroalloy produces globally, operating since, producing ferro manganese and silicomanganese, two alloys commonly used in steel production. The plant has an annual liquid steel capacity of over 6mt.

Tasmania Business, Industry and Resources Minister Eric Abetz says that the state government has been and will continue to maintain very close contact with liberty Bell Bay and the broader GFC Alliance group to work through the situation.

“We will respond accordingly with our focus on ensuring the well-being of the workers, suppliers, contractors and community impacted by this pause,” he said.

“As with any business interruption, Jobs Tasmania is now engaging to ensure that any impacted employees are offered a range of supports and services.

“The Tasmanian Government is working with our Federal and South Australian counterparts around local matters.

“I have reached out directly to Tim Ayres, the Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation, to make him aware of the situation as we believe that production out of Liberty Bell Bay is of national strategic importance.

“We are a strong supporter of Liberty Bell Bay and recognise it as a key employer and contributor to the Tasmanian economy — and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders through this period.”

One of Liberty Bell Bay’s main ore suppliers, South 32’s (ASX: S32) Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) in the Northern Territory, was extensively damaged last year following Tropical Cyclone Megan.

The damage resulted in supply chain disruption which has been further aggravated by global price volatility and ongoing trade issues.