Nyrstar’s operations at Auby, France to be placed on care and maintenance
Thursday December 16, 2021Budel-Dorplein, 16 December, 2021 – Nyrstar’s Auby operations will be placed on care and maintenance from the first week of January 2022, in response to significantly increased current and projected future power prices in France.
Power prices, already at historically high levels across Europe, have continued to rise in recent weeks in France, in excess of neighbouring European countries. This is as a result of low availability of nuclear power, high carbon-related costs passed on by power companies and reduced fixed-price allowances for industry. The price outlook for electricity prices in France in early 2022 indicates continued high prices and significant volatility.
While the operation is on a care and maintenance schedule, planned maintenance will be brought forwards and planned investment will continue. There will be no impact on permanent employment at the operation, which employs 297 people in total. Employee duties will be redirected to focus on maintenance, training and investment projects while the electrolyser is not producing zinc.
Today’s announcement follows consultation between Nyrstar management and the operation’s works council and comes after the decision in October 2021, to curtail production at Nyrstar’s three European operations in Belgium, France and the Netherlands by up to 50 percent in response to high power prices in Europe. Nyrstar’s Balen (Belgium) and Budel (Netherlands) operations will continue to operate at reduced capacity, benefiting from Nyrstar’s highly efficient operations and adaptable electrolytic smelting process which enable production to be reduced at times of peak power prices.
The situation will remain under continuous review and production at Auby will resume as soon as economically feasible.
ENDS
About Nyrstar:
Nyrstar is a global multi-metals business, with a market leading position in zinc and lead.
Nyrstar has mining, smelting and other operations located in Europe, the United States of America and Australia and employs over 4,000 people.
The company’s global operations are located close to key customers and major transport hubs to facilitate delivery of raw materials and distribution of finished products.
In July 2019, Nyrstar’s operating business became majority owned by Trafigura, one of the world’s leading independent commodity trading companies. Visit www.nyrstar.com.
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