One of Northern Tasmania’s largest industrial employers has suspended operations as global supply issues continue to impact the manufacturing sector.
Liberty Bell Bay, a major producer of ferro manganese and silicomanganese in the Tamar Valley, has begun a phased shutdown of its furnaces with the final furnace expected to cease operation by late May.
Executive General Manager Paul Venter told employees the shutdown follows significant challenges since losing their main ore supplier when Tropical Cyclone Megan damaged South32’s GEMCO infrastructure in March last year.
“We have had to make the difficult decision to stage a phased shutdown of the furnaces,” Venter said.
“While I hope it won’t be for longer than a month, we cannot make promises.”
The announcement has raised concerns about the future of approximately 250 jobs at the facility.
Minister for Business, Industry and Resources Eric Abetz said the government was mobilising support for affected workers.
“Jobs Tasmania is now engaging to ensure that any impacted employees are offered a range of supports and services,” Abetz said.
“I have reached out directly to Tim Ayres, the Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation, as we believe that production out of Liberty Bell Bay is of national strategic importance.”
Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone CEO Susie Bower confirmed support would be available through their Northern Employment and Business Hub.
“We will work closely with councils in the North and North-East to ensure anyone impacted by Liberty Bell Bay’s announcement is supported within their community,” Bower said.
The Greens Member for Bass, Cecily Rosol, expressed concern about the development.
“The Greens have been raising concerns about the future of this facility and the jobs it supports for months,” Rosol said.
The company, formerly known as TEMCO, was purchased by GFG Alliance from South32 in 2021 and has been exploring alternative ore supply options from China, including potential sources from Woodie Woodie and Ghana.
Labor Leader Dean Winter said it “would be a mistake” to characterise the issue as “just being about the availability of ore”.
“There are questions about whether the company will have enough working capital to place another order for more ore even if it becomes available. We therefore hold grave concerns for its long term future,” he said.
“The Liberals have raising [power] transmission power prices by almost a quarter in just two years. When you increase costs for businesses already facing significant financial pressure, you put jobs at risk and that’s exactly what Jeremy Rockliff and Nick Duigan have done.”
