Exxaro Resources Ltd., the operator of South Africa’s only zinc refinery, expects no “significant disruption” in supplies after closing the plant temporarily following a fatal accident yesterday.
Deliveries to steelmaker ArcelorMittal South Africa Ltd. are unaffected, Exxaro spokesman Trevor Arran said by phone today. A quarter of the Zincor refinery’s sales go to the steel producer, the continent’s biggest, according to Pretoria, South Africa-based Exxaro’s Web site.
The company said in a statement today it may decide “early next week” when to restart the plant. Production was halted yesterday after a gas explosion caused three deaths and 12 injuries. The Labor Department ordered work to be suspended in the area where the detonation took place pending completion of an investigation.
Jimmy Manyi, the department’s director general, will visit the accident scene today, spokesman Page Boikanyo said by phone.
Exxaro gained 2.43 rand, or 2.7 percent, to 92.73 rand at 1:21 p.m. in Johannesburg trading, advancing for a second day.
Zinc is mainly used to protect steel against rust, the Web site of the International Lead and Zinc Study Group shows.
Source: Bloomberg
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