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South32 withdraws Australian manganese output forecast as cyclone shuts major mine

Diversified miner South32 withdrew its financial 2024 forecast for Australian manganese output on Wednesday after a cyclone shut operations at its Groote Eylandt Mining Co (GEMCO) unit in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Shares of the company fell as much as 3.5% to A$ 3.01 by 1154 GMT, publishing their most significant intraday drop because Feb. 20, while the benchmark S&P/ ASX 200 index increased by 0.5%.

South32 had anticipated to produce 3.4 million wet metric lots ( wmt) of manganese in financial 2024, somewhat lower than the financial 2023 output of 3.5 million wmt.

The company is the world's biggest manufacturer of manganese, which is utilized as a steel additive. It owns 60% of GEMCO, while Anglo American owns the rest.

Operations at GEMCO were halted on Monday due to the effects of Cyclone Megan, with preliminary evaluations suggesting flooding in the mining pits, the miner said in a declaration on Wednesday.

The company validated substantial structural damage to the my own's wharf and port facilities, with alternative shipping arrangements being evaluated.

Further assessment of the full effect of the damage is continuous, the company said, adding that it would release its 2024 forecast for manganese production together with the March-quarter output outcomes.

South32's Australia manganese department contributed $67. million to the business's hidden profits before interest and.

(source: Reuters)