A century-old South African smelter nears closure as power tariffs make it unviable, putting about 350 jobs at risk in Africa's top industrial economy.
South Africa · ENERGY
Key Facts
—Jobs at risk: About 350 jobs are threatened at a century-old smelter, according to a News24 report on 10 August 2026.
—Power price surge: Electricity tariffs for South African smelters have risen more than 900 percent since 2008, Reuters reported.
—Viability threshold: Industry says a tariff of about 62 South African cents (roughly US$0.04) per kilowatt-hour is needed for smelting operations to remain viable.
Future of about 35,000 jobs uncertain due to competitiveness and political intervention
Transalloys, South Africa's last manganese smelter, has ceased production, jeopardising 600 jobs and 7,000 downstream…
Transalloys warns procrastination on tariff relief a 'death sentence', with 7,600 jobs on the line
South Africa has approved discounted electricity tariffs for major ferrochrome producers as Eskom seeks to protect jobs, exports…
Glencore’s South African ferrochrome venture has withdrawn plans to cut up to 1,500 jobs after regulators approved discounted…
South Africa is ramping up tariffs and safeguard measures to protect its struggling steel industry from a surge of cheap imports…
