JSE-listed Merafe’s attributable ferrochrome production from the Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture for the six months ended June 30 was 185 000 t.
That represents a decrease of about 9% compared with the 203 000 t reported for the six months ended June 30, 2022.
The reduction is owing to a planned pullback in production over the winter period.
The Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture owns the Boshoek, Wonderkop, Rustenburg, Lion and Lydenburg smelter complexes, in South Africa.
The smelters are energy intensive and the national power utility Eskom charges higher power prices over the winter months, when power demand in the country increases.
As a result, the joint venture partners have opted to operate only the Lion smelter over this period.