SHANGHAI, Jul 18 (SMM) – A manganese plant in Xiushan county in Chongqing, one of the major producing areas, was ordered to suspend for rectification from Wednesday July 18. Local environmental protection authorities ordered the suspension after an accident occurred at the plant.

A source told SMM that the suspension is likely to last for two weeks. The plant's daily output of manganese stood at 90 mt, about 2.3% of China's total output each day.

On June 27, compound solutions spilled during production and some of it flowed outside the plant. The plant cleaned up the spillage within three days, SMM learned.