Glencore has ramped down production at some of its smaller metals-related mining operations, including those in Canada and South America.
In a statement on its website, the company advised its nickel-producing Raglan mining complex and Matagami zinc mine in Quebec will both be on care and maintenance for three weeks, following a government decree to close non-essential businesses. While Ontario issued a similar ordinance, mining is considered essential, therefore, the Glencore’s operations in the province aren’t affected.
At Raglan, 1.3mn mt of ore is treated a year, which results in more than 39,000mt of nickel concentrate, while Matagami produced 43,800mt of zinc last year.
A nationwide March 21-26 lockdown in South Africa was the impetus for Glencore putting its ferroalloys operations in the country on care and maintenance beginning Thursday. The company’s statement noted it has coal-related operations in the country, which will not be affected. In 2019, Glencore produced 1.44mn mt of ferroalloys in the country.