Australian mining giant BHP Billiton has announced that operations will restart at its manganese alloy production facility TEMCO, located in George Town, Tasmania. All four furnaces will be operating by the end of August 2012.
BHP had temporarily suspended operations at TEMCO in February to examine the long-term future of the operations due to operating losses. The company stated that extensive stakeholder consultation and assessment of all options for TEMCO have been undertaken over the last three months. The significant cost reduction opportunities identified are expected to allow TEMCO to return to a globally competitive position.