Century-Old South African Smelter Nears Closure Over Power Price, Risking 350 Jobs
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 […] The post Century-Old South African Smelter Nears Closure…
A century-old smelter in South Africa faces closure due to soaring electricity tariffs, threatening 350 jobs, according to a News24 report on 10 August 2026. Electricity costs for South African smelters have risen over 900 percent since 2008, making it difficult for these facilities to remain competitive. The ferrochrome processing complex, a key part of South Africa's industrial history, is threatened unless the government provides tariff relief or subsidies.
Glencore, a major player in this sector, has faced its own challenges, with about 1,500 direct jobs at risk across its South African smelters. The crisis has sparked discussions of restructuring power costs for smelters, with an interim arrangement of 87 cents per kilowatt-hour deemed too high for sustainable operations. The stakes are higher than just one smelter, as South Africa's energy sector is crucial for its manufacturing base and global competitiveness, especially in the context of the international scramble for critical minerals.
Written by urgent.news from The Rio Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
