[GEMCO Resumes Manganese Exports After Cyclone Recovery, First Shipment Underway]
South32’s GEMCO manganese operation in Australia has officially resumed export sales, marking a major milestone in the site’s recovery from Tropical Cyclone Megan, which struck in March 2024. The first shipment of manganese ore is currently being loaded at GEMCO’s newly reconstructed wharf, with departure expected in the coming days. The cyclone brought extreme weather, including 681 mm of rainfall and the strongest wind gusts recorded in 20 years, resulting in widespread flooding and significant infrastructure damage. Operations at GEMCO were temporarily suspended, with recovery efforts focused on pit dewatering and repairing or replacing damaged assets. The GEMCO team also supported the broader Groote Eylandt community, helping to restore essential infrastructure, deliver supplies, and resume basic services. Export volumes are expected to ramp up throughout the June 2025 quarter, with the operation targeting a full return to normal export levels by FY2026.
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