SHANGHAI, Jun 27 (SMM) – Production suspension at manganese ore mines in Huayuan county, Hunan province, is likely to stay as heavy pollution from mines in the region was reported by state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) earlier this week.

According to the news report, tens of thousands of tonnes of heavy metal tailings were illegally disposed into rivers and farmlands without being treated in Huayuan. Mines in Huayuan are set to face more pressure in the wake of the report.

Manganese ore mines across Huayuan have already been suspended after an accident left four people dead and one injured on May 13. Some manganese producers had to purchase from Guizhou Songtao or other nearby regions to maintain normal production.

Separately, all manganese plants and some parts of mines in Songtao in Guizhou province were shut from June 1 due to media coverage of pollution as well. Only one manganese producer has resumed operations after inspection. It remains unclear when others would come back online.

In 2017, output of manganese ore in Huayuan and Songtao accounted for 15% and 30% of China’s overall output, respectively.