SUPPLY NEWS - Nyrstar restart Port Pirie lead operations following power outage

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Kathleen Retournekathleen.retourne@fastmarkets.comJoint News Editor - Europe+44 (0) 20 7337 2144

London 13/10/2016 - Nyrstar has restarted operations at its Port Pirie lead smelter in Australia, the company confirmed to Metal Bulletin on Thursday, October 13.

"We are now back and running at full production," a spokesperson said, adding that they do not provide production guidance for lead.

The smelter and furnace had been closed since Thursday, September 27 after severe storms in Australia resulted in state-wide power loss.  

A back-up diesel generator at the Nyrstar Port Pirie site sustained the blast furnace for several hours after the power outage commenced. But, as the power outage continued for a prolonged period, the slag in the blast furnace solidified and the blast furnace could not be tapped.

The repairs would negatively impact metals processing EBITDA by approximately 3-5 million euro, the company said at the time.

The three month LME lead price had pushed to its strongest since May 2015 on the news when it hit above $2,157 per tonne. It last traded at $2,011 and down $12 on the previous day's close.  

(Editing by Tom Jennemann) 



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